TRUMP THREATENS TO REVIVE COMPENSATION FUND AS SENATE REPUBLICANS BLOCK...

Donald Trump threatened to resurrect a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund after Republican Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn refused to confirm his attorney general nominee Todd Blanche without written guarantees the fund would not be established. Trump made the threat via social media on Saturday after declaring on Friday that the fund was dead but expressing regret about that decision. Tillis responded by stating that Blanche, whom he considers qualified, would not be confirmed because of Trump's reversal on the fund. The dispute has stalled Blanche's confirmation process, with the Senate judiciary committee scheduling a meeting for Tuesday to reconsider his nomination.

The Justice Department created the fund in May to compensate individuals Trump believes were unfairly prosecuted by the government, including some January 6 rioters. The fund faced opposition from members of both parties and the public. Senate Republicans were sufficiently opposed that they refused to vote on a $72 billion immigration bill earlier this year because it was linked to the fund's existence. In June, the Justice Department moved to dissolve it, though Tillis and Cornyn remain concerned the decision may not be permanent. On Friday, Justice Department lawyers filed an intent to appeal a recent ruling that questioned the fund's legitimacy.

Trump warned that he would withdraw Blanche's nomination, retain him as acting attorney general and pursue an anti-weaponization bill through Congress if senators did not confirm Blanche. He also claimed on Truth Social that Cornyn and Tillis were opposing the confirmation because he had not endorsed them in their own elections. Blanche told senators the fund was dead but has not agreed to provide written confirmation of that position. Committee chair Chuck Grassley stated he wants Blanche confirmed before an August recess.