Pres. Trump again pushes for Blanche’s confirmation

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - President Donald Trump on Friday called on GOP lawmakers to immediately confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, one day after threatening to temporarily pull the nomination amid pushback from two Republican senators.

Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) have blocked Blanche’s confirmation, demanding the administration commit in writing to eliminating the “anti-weaponization fund,” a proposed fund that would pay out Jan. 6 defendants and alleged victims of government abuse.

Trump made his latest push for Blanche’s confirmation during a cabinet meeting at Camp David.

“Todd Blanche is a very, very good man. And he shouldn’t be in the middle of this. He should get approved,” Trump said.

Blanche has said the administration was abandoning plans for the fund but has not put anything in writing. Tillis continued to raise concerns Friday, writing in a post on X that Trump “made it clear today that the so-called Anti Weaponization Fund is still alive.”

Cornyn reiterated Thursday that he wants more of an assurance that the fund is dead.

“We want to make sure that it remains dead, and that the president isn’t given any immunity from future audits that the ordinary taxpayer would not enjoy,” Cornyn said.

Trump also said during the meeting that the fund was dead but did not answer a question about why it would not be put in writing.

“Well it is dead. But, you know I wish it weren’t, to be honest with you, I think people were horribly treated, horribly abused,” said the president.

Trump also appealed a court ruling against the anti-weaponization fund and his tax immunity deal on Friday.

It remains unclear whether Blanche’s nomination will continue next week.