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President Donald Trump defends Todd Blanche nomination while facing Republican opposition over anti-weaponization fund

President Donald Trump stated on Friday that acting Attorney General Todd Blanche should be immediately approved for the permanent role, despite a standoff with Republican senators. The administration announced that the nomination is currently stalled because Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis are withholding their support until the Justice Department provides written assurances that the $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" will not be revived. While Todd Blanche has stated the fund is defunct, the administration has been reluctant to change the settlement text. President Trump defended the fund, arguing it was intended to compensate patriots whose lives were ruined by the Biden administration. He also suggested he could temporarily withdraw the nomination until Cornyn and Tillis leave office at the end of the year. John Cornyn accused the administration of being unwilling to write down the commitment to shelve the fund. Cornyn also noted that the administration's reluctance to formalize the agreement may be a personal retaliation for Trump's endorsement of his primary opponent, Ken Paxton.

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