President Trump is reaffirming his support for Todd Blanche as his choice for acting attorney general and defending a controversial $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization fund." The fund, established as a result of Trump's lawsuit against the IRS, has become a point of contention, potentially delaying Blanche's confirmation vote for another month by Republican senators.
During a Cabinet meeting at Camp David, Trump stated that Blanche "should be approved forthwith." He also reiterated his defense of the fund, which he views as compensation for individuals he believes were victims of political prosecutions under past administrations. "I think people were horribly treated, horribly abused. This has nothing to do with Todd; this was me," Trump said, adding, "And I’d like to see them compensated for the pain. They lost their families. They committed suicide."
Trump specifically targeted Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, whom he characterized as "an angry person" following Cornyn's May defeat in a Texas Senate GOP primary race. Trump had endorsed Cornyn's opponent, Ken Paxton, who serves as the state's attorney general.
Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., have been blocking Blanche's confirmation vote in the Judiciary Committee, seeking written assurances from the Department of Justice that the anti-weaponization fund will not be re-established. Blanche had previously testified in a July 15 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that the fund was "dead."
Discussions have been ongoing between the senators' offices and the DOJ regarding written proposals intended to effectively bar the fund. One proposed version of the language, submitted on July 29, stated, "The Attorney General’s May 18, 2026, Order establishing the Anti-Weaponization Fund (“Fund”) is rescinded and shall have no force or effect," but it was not accepted, according to sources.
The fund had already been blocked by a federal judge in May following a settlement agreement between Trump, his family members, and the DOJ over a lawsuit concerning the 2024 leak of their tax returns. Trump administration officials had previously stated the fund would be open to any applicant, regardless of political affiliation, with disbursements approved by a five-member panel. Four members of this panel would be appointed by the attorney general, and one by Congress.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who served with Cornyn and Tillis in the Senate, voiced his support for Blanche's confirmation, stating on X that Blanche "has been an invaluable partner in advancing President Trump’s agenda." Rubio urged the Senate to confirm him before the upcoming August recess.
Blanche previously served as Trump's personal defense attorney before being confirmed as the deputy attorney general last year. Under federal law, an acting attorney general can serve for an additional 210 days after a nomination is withdrawn, allowing for a potential re-nomination in February 2027.