Overview
- President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday that he will “push hard” to codify the $1.8 billion anti‑weaponization fund and keep Todd Blanche in an acting role if Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis do not back Blanche’s confirmation.
- Cornyn and Tillis are withholding committee support because they want written, enforceable assurances that the Justice Department will permanently end the fund and narrow tax‑immunity language tied to the settlement.
- The Justice Department gave senators a document saying Blanche’s May 18 order establishing the fund is “rescinded and shall have no force or effect,” but both senators said that text is insufficient to satisfy their demands.
- The Senate Judiciary Committee has delayed and then rescheduled a vote for early August as Republicans try to secure votes, leaving Blanche’s permanent confirmation uncertain and him able to remain acting while the nomination is pending.
- The contested fund and tax‑immunity provisions stem from a settlement with the IRS that federal judges have questioned and that is under appeal, creating legal uncertainty and the prospect of continued courtroom and congressional fights that could affect taxpayer exposure and DOJ leadership stability.