(United States, 2nd) U.S. President Trump has threatened to restart an $1.8 billion (about RM7.353 billion) "anti-weaponization fund," escalating his standoff with two Republican senators and plunging the confirmation of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche into deadlock.
According to the BBC, Blanche has served as acting Attorney General since April this year. For his formal appointment, he needs the full backing of the Senate Judiciary Committee's Republican members. However, Texas Senator Cornyn and North Carolina Senator Tillis are currently withholding support, demanding that Blanche give a written commitment that the Justice Department will not reinstate the fund in the future.
On Saturday (August 1), Trump wrote on social media that if the two senators do not support Blanche, the fund will be “immediately put back on the table.” He also said that, in that case, he would continue to let Blanche serve as acting attorney general and push Congress to pass related legislation.
The $1.8 billion fund stems from a settlement negotiation between Trump and the IRS over leaked tax information. According to the original plan, the fund would not only cover Trump’s own claims but also allow Trump allies who claim to have been politically prosecuted by previous administrations to apply for compensation.
The plan immediately drew opposition from Democrats and some Republicans. Critics worry that the compensation might extend to those convicted for the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, including individuals who assaulted police officers. Negotiator Blanche later withdrew the proposal; and a federal judge also ordered the fund’s advancement to be halted, questioning whether the arrangement violated professional ethics.
Tillis responded on Saturday, saying Trump is clearly still intent on resurrecting this “fund that gives money to bad actors,” and noted that most Republican senators would not support such legislation. He said the Judiciary Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday (the 4th), and both sides still hope to resolve their differences then.
Trump had previously admitted the fund was “dead,” but maintains that those he believes were unfairly treated by the Justice Department should be compensated.
On Saturday (August 1), Trump wrote on social media that if the two senators do not support Blanche, the fund will be “immediately put back on the table.” He also said that, in that case, he would continue to let Blanche serve as acting attorney general and push Congress to pass related legislation.
The $1.8 billion fund stems from a settlement negotiation between Trump and the IRS over leaked tax information. According to the original plan, the fund would not only cover Trump’s own claims but also allow Trump allies who claim to have been politically prosecuted by previous administrations to apply for compensation.
The plan immediately drew opposition from Democrats and some Republicans. Critics worry that the compensation might extend to those convicted for the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, including individuals who assaulted police officers. Negotiator Blanche later withdrew the proposal; and a federal judge also ordered the fund’s advancement to be halted, questioning whether the arrangement violated professional ethics.
Tillis responded on Saturday, saying Trump is clearly still intent on resurrecting this “fund that gives money to bad actors,” and noted that most Republican senators would not support such legislation. He said the Judiciary Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday (the 4th), and both sides still hope to resolve their differences then.
Trump had previously admitted the fund was “dead,” but maintains that those he believes were unfairly treated by the Justice Department should be compensated.