President Donald Trump has issued a forceful ultimatum to Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, demanding they either confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General or he will initiate a push to establish the anti-weaponization fund, a nearly $1.8 billion initiative designed to compensate individuals who claim they were politically persecuted, announced in May as part of a settlement to resolve Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department.
Tillis and Cornyn have repeatedly refused to vote for Blanche, citing the need for a written confirmation that Mr. Trump will not pursue the fund, a program intended to provide redress for those who have been subjected to political persecution. On Saturday, Mr. Trump explicitly stated that the anti-weaponization fund was off the table and would continue his efforts to push the fund forward if the senators who oppose it don’t vote for Blanche.
In a message posted on Truth Social, the president stated, “If Senators Cornyn and Tillis, both upset because I wouldn’t Endorse them (they lost, and quit, respectively!), aren’t going to approve Todd Blanche, the most respected professional, according to everybody, in the Country, to be the United States Attorney General, then I will keep Todd as Acting A.G., and push hard to get the Anti-Weaponization Bill, which takes care of those who have been so badly treated by the Crooked Joe Biden (and Obuma!) Administration (I get nothing, although I was treated horribly!), PASSED.” He further added, “Todd Blanche was a voice of reason! It will immediately be back on the table, and I will get it done.”
At his confirmation hearing earlier this month, Blanche reiterated the fund was “dead.” Cornyn noted the settlement stipulates any changes to it must be agreed upon in writing by all parties involved. He asked, “Has there been a written agreement of the parties to modify the settlement fund?”
Blanche responded, “There has been no modification. It never started. No money went from the Treasury to any other account.” After delaying a vote last week on Blanche’s nomination due to Cornyn and Tillis, the Senate Judiciary Committee said Saturday it would now be voting this Tuesday at 9 a.m.
The committee stated, “Chairman Grassley wants Todd Blanche’s nomination to be successful,” and that the vote is expected to be a contentious one, given the White House’s desire to secure the President’s nominee’s support. The Senate is currently on its summer recess, with a return to session scheduled for mid-September.
Caitlin Yilek contributed to this report.
Watch Related Video
Source: CBS News
