Trump threatens to revive controversial $1.8bn compensation fund as standoff with Senate Republicans deepens
"It will immediately be back on the table, and I will get it done," the president wrote.
Donald Trump is threatening to reinstate a contentious $1.8 billion compensation fund, escalating a dispute with two Republican senators who are currently blocking the confirmation of his attorney general nominee.
Todd Blanche, who has been serving as acting attorney general since April, requires unanimous Republican support on the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance his confirmation. However, Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, whose terms conclude in January, are withholding their approval. Their objection stems from the status of Trump's "anti-weaponization fund," valued at $1.8 billion (£1.3 billion).
On Saturday, Trump stated that if the two senators do not approve Blanche, the fund "will immediately be back on the table, and I will get it done."
In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump suggested he might withdraw Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general, claiming the senators are "upset because I wouldn't Endorse them." He reiterated that if they do not approve Blanche's nomination, "then I will keep Todd as Acting A.G., and push hard to get the Anti-Weaponization Bill."
The proposed fund, announced earlier this year, was intended to resolve a lawsuit filed by Trump against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) concerning the leak of his tax returns. It aimed to provide compensation to Trump's allies for what they alleged were politically motivated prosecutions by previous administrations. The initiative faced significant backlash from both Democrats and Republicans, leading Blanche, who had negotiated the deal, to abandon it. Separately, a federal judge blocked the fund, citing ethical concerns.
Cornyn and Tillis are demanding a written assurance from Blanche, who previously served as Trump's personal lawyer, that the Justice Department will not revive the fund in the future. The Trump administration has not yet made such a commitment.
Tillis responded to Trump on X on Saturday, stating: "Despite comments as late as yesterday that the fund is dead, President Trump clearly intends to resurrect the payout pot for punks either by inappropriately establishing another bogus fund or pushing Congress to vote for a bill that the majority of Republicans in the Senate would be against." He added, "It's unfortunate that Todd Blanche, who I consider qualified for the job, will not be confirmed because of this reversal. Hopefully, we can resolve this by Tuesday."
The judiciary committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday for a potential vote on Blanche's nomination. The BBC has sought comment from Cornyn's office.
The "anti-weaponization fund" remains a key issue for Trump. During a cabinet meeting at Camp David on Friday, Trump acknowledged the fund was "dead" but indicated he still desired compensation for those he believes were wronged by the justice department. "I think people are horribly treated. Horribly abused," he told reporters. "I'd like to see them compensated for the pain." Trump further elaborated, "People they were very successful that wanted to go to a rally or an event...ended up spending the rest of their lives in horror. They've agreed to not have a fund, but there are a lot of people that are very set about it."
Despite being "lame duck" lawmakers, both Tillis and Cornyn have become significant obstacles for Trump, even though he claims to have ended their political careers. Tillis initially drew Trump's disapproval by opposing his "One, Big, Beautiful" tax and spending bill. Cornyn, after years of loyalty, turned against Trump after the president endorsed his electoral opponent, Ken Paxton.