- Senator John Cornyn opposes the nomination of Todd Blanche as Attorney General.
- President Donald Trump defended the DOJ weaponization fund and criticized Cornyn, further jeopardizing Blanche's nomination.
- Trump's comments came after he stated he would not object to waiting until Senators Cornyn and Thom Tillis leave office; the Justice Department had indicated the program was abandoned, but Cornyn demanded written assurances it would not be revived.
- Trump insisted the fund was a result of a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service and was intended for those whose lives were unfairly and illegally destroyed by the Biden administration.
- Trump suggested Cornyn's opposition to Blanche's nomination was personal, stemming from Trump's endorsement of Ken Paxton over Cornyn.
- Cornyn stated that withdrawing the nomination would not solve anything and called Blanche “probably about as good as we’re going to get.”
Former President Donald Trump is facing pushback in his efforts to confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General, as Senator John Cornyn withholds support over concerns regarding a controversial $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund. Trump defended the fund, stating it was meant to compensate those harmed by the Biden administration.12910
In a recent social media post, Trump insisted that Blanche should be approved immediately, emphasizing that the fund was not intended for his personal benefit. He stated, “I felt that they should be given compensation for what has been done to them.” Despite this, Cornyn has demanded written assurances that the fund will not be revived, complicating Blanche's nomination process.
Trump suggested that Cornyn's opposition may be personal, linked to his endorsement of Ken Paxton, Cornyn's primary opponent. He remarked, “Maybe John Cornyn’s upset with me because I didn’t endorse him.” Cornyn, however, has denied that Trump's endorsement influenced his decision, asserting that the Department of Justice needs a Senate-confirmed attorney general.78
Cornyn stated, “Todd Blanche is probably about as good as we’re going to get,” but emphasized the need for enforceable written assurances regarding the fund. The ongoing conflict highlights the political tensions surrounding the nomination process and the implications of the fund's future on Blanche's confirmation.
“Cornyn called Blanche "probably about as good as we're going to get" but demanded DOJ put the deal's terms in writing as enforceable assurances. Trump, who endorsed Cornyn's primary opponent Ken Paxton, said the fund came from an IRS settlement for people whose lives were "unfairly and illegally destroyed" by the Biden administration.”
