- Trump's administration has claimed the IRS slush fund is not moving forward but has not committed in writing to end it; Cornyn and Tillis have demanded written assurances.
- Trump attacked Sen. John Cornyn over the IRS slush fund, saying Cornyn did not have a problem with it until after Trump endorsed Ken Paxton, who won the Texas Republican primary.
- The fund and Trump’s refusal to officially end it are holding up Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination, with John Cornyn and Thom Tillis holding out.
- Trump defended the fund at Camp David, calling Blanche a 'very, very good man,' and said the fund 'is dead.'
- Trump has said he may pull Blanche’s nomination until Cornyn and Tillis leave office; Cornyn recently lost the GOP primary in Texas and Tillis is not seeking reelection.
- Trump defended the fund as compensation for people he says were “weaponized and abused,” while saying: “This fund was not for me.”
- Trump said the fund “will not benefit me” but rather benefit “great American Patriots,” and argued victims “should be paid back for what they were forced to endure.”
Donald Trump has launched a verbal assault on Senator John Cornyn, accusing him of hypocrisy regarding the $1.8 billion IRS fund after Trump's endorsement of Cornyn's primary opponent, Ken Paxton.123456910
"This fund was not for me," Trump stated, emphasizing that it aims to compensate supporters victimized by the Biden administration.
Trump described the fund as "dead" but expressed a desire for it to continue, stating, "I gave up any payments for myself, which would have been substantial."
The fund's future is uncertain, as Cornyn and Senator Thom Tillis have demanded written confirmation from the Justice Department regarding its status.
Trump defended Todd Blanche, his attorney general nominee, asserting he is a "very, very good man" and should not be a "pawn" in the dispute with Cornyn.
Trump hinted at possibly withdrawing Blanche's nomination until Cornyn and Tillis leave office, as both senators have expressed opposition.
"I will always feel that these victims of government abuse should be paid back for what they were forced to endure, their lives have been ruined!" Trump declared, reiterating that the fund is intended for those he believes were unfairly targeted by the government.
"Millions of people agree with me, as was proven in my landslide Presidential win, where this was a major subject of debate," he added, linking the fund to his political support.
“Trump said the fund "is dead," though he wished it weren't, and claimed he gave up "any payments for myself, which would have been substantial." Cornyn and Thom Tillis are demanding written Justice Department assurances the fund won't proceed; Trump says he may pull Blanche's nomination until both leave office.”
theguardian.com
