By Emmanuel Bobby
President Donald Trump intensified his dispute with two Republican senators on Saturday, warning that he could keep Todd Blanche in the role of acting attorney general if the Senate refuses to confirm his nomination for the permanent position. Trump also pledged to fight for the revival of a controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” compensation fund, a proposal that has become a central point of disagreement between the White House and several GOP lawmakers.
The president’s comments come as Blanche’s confirmation has stalled in the Senate, highlighting growing divisions within the Republican Party over both the Justice Department nomination and broader questions surrounding compensation for individuals involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot who later received presidential pardons.
Trump Criticizes Republican Senators Over Confirmation Delays
In a post on Truth Social, Trump sharply criticized Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, accusing both lawmakers of blocking Blanche’s confirmation despite his qualifications.
Trump argued that Blanche is widely respected within the legal profession and suggested that if the Senate refuses to approve the nomination, he would continue serving as acting attorney general instead.
The president also vowed to renew efforts to pass legislation establishing what he described as an “anti-weaponization” fund, saying it would compensate individuals whom he believes were unfairly targeted by the previous administration.
Trump maintained that many Americans had been mistreated through what he has repeatedly characterized as politically motivated government actions, adding that he himself had also been subjected to unfair treatment.
He praised Blanche as a “voice of reason” and indicated that both the nomination and the proposed compensation fund would remain priorities for his administration.
Blanche’s Nomination Faces Increasing Uncertainty
Todd Blanche’s nomination has encountered growing resistance within the Senate in recent weeks.
Although many Republican lawmakers have expressed confidence in Blanche’s legal credentials, several senators have raised objections tied not to his qualifications but to broader policy issues involving the administration.
Cornyn and Tillis have indicated that their support for Blanche depends in part on whether the administration abandons plans to pursue the proposed compensation fund.
Other Republican senators reportedly share similar concerns, although not all of them serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where nominations receive their initial consideration.
As a result, Blanche’s path to confirmation has become increasingly uncertain.
Earlier this week, the Judiciary Committee postponed a scheduled vote on the nomination after concerns raised by Cornyn and Tillis prevented the committee from moving forward.
Dispute Centers on Proposed Compensation Fund
At the center of the political disagreement is the administration’s proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund.
The proposal would provide compensation to individuals who were prosecuted in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and later received pardons from President Trump.
Supporters argue the fund is intended to compensate people who they believe were subjected to government overreach during criminal investigations and prosecutions.
Critics, however, contend that taxpayer-funded payments to those individuals would be inappropriate and have urged the administration to abandon the proposal.
Cornyn and Tillis have both cited the compensation fund as one of their primary concerns regarding the administration’s broader legal agenda.
Tillis Responds to Trump’s Remarks
Following Trump’s latest comments, Tillis publicly responded by placing responsibility for Blanche’s stalled confirmation on the White House.
Writing on social media, the North Carolina senator argued that despite previous statements suggesting the compensation fund had been abandoned, the president now appears committed to reviving it either through executive action or new legislation.
Tillis expressed disappointment that the renewed push for the proposal had complicated Blanche’s confirmation process.
While reiterating that he believes Blanche is qualified to serve as attorney general, Tillis suggested the dispute could still be resolved if the administration changes course regarding the proposed fund.
Cornyn and Tillis Both Leaving the Senate
The conflict also unfolds as both senators prepare to leave Congress under very different circumstances.
In Texas, Sen. John Cornyn sought another term but was defeated in the Republican primary runoff by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton after Trump endorsed Paxton’s campaign.
Meanwhile, Sen. Thom Tillis announced earlier this year that he would not seek reelection in North Carolina.
His retirement decision came shortly after a public disagreement with Trump over a Republican-backed domestic policy package, further highlighting tensions between the two men.
Because both senators are departing, Trump has suggested he could simply wait until a new Senate is seated before attempting Blanche’s confirmation again if necessary.
Trump Previously Suggested Delaying Nomination
Earlier in the week, Trump raised the possibility of withdrawing Blanche’s nomination entirely and resubmitting it after the next Congress begins.
Such a move would postpone the confirmation battle until after Cornyn and Tillis have left office.
Responding to that possibility, Tillis acknowledged that the president has the authority to pursue such a strategy.
Speaking to reporters at the Capitol, the senator said the decision ultimately rests with Trump and indicated that the administration could attempt confirmation under a different Senate composition next year if it chooses.
Administration Sends Mixed Signals on Fund
The future of the anti-weaponization fund remains uncertain.
During a Cabinet meeting on Friday, Trump acknowledged that the proposal is currently inactive but indicated that he still supports the concept.
He remarked that although the fund is effectively “dead” at the moment, he wished it were not, emphasizing that the issue should not be viewed as connected to Blanche’s nomination.
Despite those comments, Saturday’s statement suggested the administration remains interested in reviving the proposal through legislative action.
Federal Court Has Halted Implementation
The proposed compensation fund is currently blocked following action by a federal judge, preventing the administration from implementing it for now.
However, the administration has not indicated that it intends to permanently abandon the proposal and continues exploring legal and legislative options.
The fund originated as part of a settlement agreement related to litigation Trump filed against the Internal Revenue Service.
That settlement also included a provision shielding Trump and several members of his family from future IRS audits, another aspect that has drawn scrutiny from Cornyn, Tillis, and other lawmakers.
Confirmation Battle Likely to Continue
With Blanche’s nomination temporarily stalled and disagreements over the compensation fund unresolved, negotiations between the White House and Senate Republicans are expected to continue in the coming days.
Whether the administration chooses to press forward with the current nomination, seek a compromise on the disputed fund, or delay confirmation until a new Senate is seated remains uncertain.
For now, the dispute has become one of the most closely watched confirmation battles within the Trump administration, illustrating the ongoing tensions between the White House and members of its own party over legal policy, executive authority, and the future direction of the Justice Department.
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