Trump’s Nominee for Attorney General Faces Senate Uncertainty

President Donald Trump threatened to push for a compensation fund if two Republican senators do not support his nominee for attorney general. This announcement adds uncertainty to the Senate confirmation vote planned for next week, highlighting Trump’s desire to secure payouts for supporters claiming unjust persecution.

Trump posted on Truth Social that he would maintain Todd Blanche as acting Attorney General and pursue the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” if Senators John Cornyn from Texas and Thom Tillis from North Carolina refuse to back the nominee. These senators have objected due to a lawsuit settlement creating a $1.8 billion fund to aid those unjustly treated by the justice system and granting immunity to Trump and his family from tax audits.

Friday saw apparent progress as Trump declared the fund “dead.” However, negotiations continued, and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley rescheduled the committee vote for Blanche, initially postponed. Grassley, Iowa, aims for Blanche’s confirmation before the August recess, giving the White House more time to secure votes.

By Saturday, uncertainty arose again after Trump hinted at restoring the fund, criticizing Senators Cornyn and Tillis, who are departing Capitol Hill at the end of their terms. Trump insisted the fund supports those mistreated under Democratic Presidents Obama and Biden.

Tillis responded through a post on X, noting Trump’s apparent fund resurrection. He stated that Blanche’s confirmation might be jeopardized due to Trump’s reversal. Blanche previously testified that the fund wouldn’t proceed following Republican opposition.

Both Tillis and Cornyn expressed concerns about a potential reversal, seeking assurance from the White House. They aim to clarify aspects of the settlement granting immunity from tax audits to Trump and his family. According to a document reviewed by The Associated Press, the Department of Justice provided language rescinding Blanche’s May 18 order establishing the fund.

Cornyn emphasized the need for clarification on audit limits, stating it was understood the audits are retrospective, not prospective, affecting many Trump organization subsidiaries. He seeks written confirmation.