- Todd Blanche announced a compromise on Sunday to formally terminate the anti-weaponization fund and limit the audit settlement, which critics described as weak and easily reversible by Donald Trump.
- Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis expressed their support for Blanche on Monday after the Justice Department issued a formal order terminating the fund.
- Legal experts and Democrats criticized Blanche's announcement, stating it was ‘far from ironclad’ and that the assurances were ‘not worth the paper they’re written on.’
- Democratic senator Richard Blumenthal remarked that Cornyn and Tillis seemed to have gained nothing, asserting that the slush fund remains 'alive and well' for Trump.
- Rep. Jamie Raskin criticized the deal, stating it does not prevent the Justice Department and Trump from recreating the weaponization fund under a different name, calling the assurances ‘hollow.’
- Virginia Canter stated that the agreement is ‘completely hollow’ because the actual settlement agreement cannot be modified without all parties’ consent.
- Dick Durbin expressed skepticism about Blanche's commitment, suggesting he would not be surprised if Blanche reversed his promises after confirmation.
Todd Blanche, acting attorney general, rescinded an order for a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund on Sunday, aiming to secure his nomination by appeasing Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis. However, critics argue the move is merely a façade.123
The agreement, which critics describe as ‘completely hollow’, does not alter the original settlement from a Trump lawsuit regarding tax return disclosures. Legal experts, including Brandon DeBot from NYU, assert that the assurances provided are “not worth the paper they’re written on”, as they fail to prevent Trump from potentially reinstating the fund.
Senator Richard Blumenthal echoed these sentiments, stating that the tax immunity deal remains unlimited, allowing Trump to maintain control over the fund. Jamie Raskin, a leading Democrat on the House judiciary committee, criticized the announcement as an “affront to the American people”, suggesting it was designed to mislead Cornyn and Tillis into believing their concerns were addressed.67
Virginia Canter from Democracy Defenders Action emphasized that the terms of the settlement cannot be modified without consent from all parties, leaving Blanche with the option to reverse his decision at any time. Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate judiciary committee, expressed skepticism about Blanche's commitment, stating, “Knowing how Trump works … I wouldn’t be surprised.”89
“Cornyn and Tillis said Monday they would support Blanche after the Justice Department issued a formal order terminating the anti-weaponization fund, but Blumenthal said the ‘slush fund’ is ‘alive and well’ for Trump. Raskin called the words ‘hollow,’ warning nothing stops the department from recreating the fund under a different name.”
The Guardian
