Trump says the anti-weaponisation fund could return as a Senate fight over Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination deepens.
President Trump has threatened to bring back the anti-weaponisation fund as a fight over the Todd Blanche attorney general nomination intensifies in the Senate. The move puts two Republican senators, John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, at the center of a new clash with the White House.
Trump said on Saturday that the $1.8 billion fund would be “back on the table” if the two senators do not back Blanche. Blanche has been serving as acting attorney general since April and needs unanimous Republican support on the Senate Judiciary Committee to move ahead. Cornyn and Tillis are withholding their support unless Blanche puts in writing that the Justice Department will not revive the fund later.
The anti-weaponisation fund was first announced earlier this year as part of a settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns. Under the plan, Trump allies could have sought compensation for what they described as politically driven prosecutions under past administrations. The proposal drew sharp criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, who warned it could open the door to payments for people prosecuted in connection with the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, including those convicted of assaulting police officers.
After that backlash, Blanche abandoned the plan, and a federal judge later blocked the fund while raising ethical concerns. Still, Trump signaled on Saturday that he has not let the issue go. In a Truth Social post, he said the senators were upset because he would not endorse them, and he suggested he could keep Blanche in place as acting attorney general while pressing forward on the fund.
“Trump says the anti-weaponisation fund could return as a Senate fight over Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination deepens.”
Tillis answered on X, saying Trump appeared ready to revive what he called the payout plan, either through another fund or by pushing Congress to approve a bill Republicans would oppose. He also said Blanche, whom he considers qualified for the post, may be denied confirmation because of the reversal. Tillis said he hoped the matter could be resolved by Tuesday, when the Judiciary Committee is scheduled to meet for a possible vote.
Trump revisited the fund issue again on Friday at a cabinet meeting at Camp David, where he said the plan was dead but insisted that people he believes were mistreated by the Justice Department should be compensated. He told reporters that some people had been horribly treated and abused, and said he would like to see them compensated for their pain. Cornyn and Tillis have become unexpected obstacles for Trump even as they near the ends of their Senate terms.
The broader political backdrop matters because the Blanche confirmation fight is no longer just about one nominee. It has become a test of how far Senate Republicans are willing to go to accommodate Trump’s demands, and whether the White House will keep trying to revive a fund that already ran into legal and ethical resistance. For American voters, the takeaway is simple: this is about power, loyalty, and whether controversial payouts can be forced back into the political debate.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Trump threatening to bring back the fund now?
He said the $1.8 billion fund would be “back on the table” if Cornyn and Tillis do not support Todd Blanche’s nomination. Trump appears to be using the fund as leverage in the confirmation fight.
What do Senators Cornyn and Tillis want from Blanche?
They are withholding support unless Blanche puts in writing that the Justice Department will not revive the fund later. They want assurance the idea will not return after his confirmation.
What was the anti-weaponisation fund supposed to do?
It was proposed as part of a settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS and would have allowed Trump allies to seek compensation for what they called politically driven prosecutions. Critics said it could have opened the door to payments for some January 6 defendants.
What happened to the fund after it was announced?
After backlash from Democrats and some Republicans, Blanche abandoned the plan. A federal judge later blocked the fund and raised ethical concerns.
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