Trump's anti-weaponization fund comments reignite Blanche confirmation fight

Todd Blanche's nomination as Attorney General is caught in a peculiar standoff over what's called an 'anti-weaponization' compensation fund. Per Axios, Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis demanded the Trump administration scrap the fund, which would have paid people they believed suffered government overreach. On Friday, President Trump declared it dead—but then seemed to undercut himself, saying he wished it weren't dead and that people 'horribly treated' by the government deserved compensation. Both senators immediately pushed back, interpreting Trump's comments as a sign the fund remains alive. The stalemate has stalled Blanche's confirmation even as the White House ramped up pressure, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling for Senate approval before recess. Trump's legal team is also appealing a federal judge's order that blocked a separate IRS settlement, adding another layer to the broader political conflict.

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