President Trump on Monday hinted that his anti-weaponization fund could still be revived if newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche decides to resuscitate it.
Mr. Trump told The Washington Times during an Oval Office press briefing that any decision about the future of the proposed $1.8 billion fund will “be up to Mr. Blanche,” who was about to be sworn in, just days after winning a narrow confirmation vote.
Mr. Trump said he believes Mr. Blanche will be a “great attorney general.”
Senate Republicans voted Saturday to confirm Mr. Blanche as the new attorney general, overcoming headwinds that Mr. Trump created for his nominee and installing a new top cop at the Justice Department.
The 50-49 vote wasn’t assured until Friday morning, when Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, a longtime thorn in Mr. Trump’s side, said he would back Mr. Blanche.
Two Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, voted with Democrats to oppose him.
Mr. Trump’s attempt to create the anti-weaponization fund, to compensate what he described as victims of the Biden Justice Department, nearly torpedoed Mr. Blanche’s nomination. As acting attorney general, he signed off on the court settlement that established the payment.
Mr. Blanche spent the ensuing weeks backpedaling from the fund — even as Mr. Trump continued to push for it, creating new worries about his nominee.
Only after Mr. Blanche signed new orders stating that the fund was terminated as far as DOJ was concerned and clarifying the extent of a tax-crime immunity deal he gave Mr. Trump, was that issue considered defused.
Mr. Blanche has been deputy attorney general since spring 2025 and has been serving in an acting role in the top post since Mr. Trump ousted Pam Bondi in April.
Contact the author
Please read our comment policy before commenting.