Todd Blanche formally withdraws Trump's 'anti-weaponisation' fund plan

Two Republican senators, Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, who previously opposed Todd Blanche's confirmation as the next US Attorney General, have now announced their support for his nomination. This change of heart came after Blanche formally withdrew President Donald Trump's proposal for an anti-weaponisation fund that could have compensated individuals prosecuted over the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. The senators expressed satisfaction with the Department of Justice's decision to terminate the fund formally.

The $1.8 billion fund was initially announced to settle a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over the leak of Trump's tax returns. It would have allowed Trump allies to claim compensation for politically motivated prosecutions by previous administrations, and shield the president, his family, and their businesses from IRS audits of their past tax returns. However, concerns over the scope of the deal led the two senators to withhold their support.

Blanche, currently serving as acting Attorney General, had met with committee members and Senators over the past weeks to address their concerns. He stated that there is now "no Fund" and that the IRS immunity would only apply to the named parties in the lawsuit, which included Trump, his two sons, and the Trump Organization. After facing backlash and a federal judge's blocking of the fund, Blanche abandoned the plan.

Blanche's withdrawal and the senators' shift in stance signify that Republicans are actively fighting against Trump's attorney general nomination, which has been stalled due to Senate Democrats' opposition. The situation could change once Tillis and Cornyn leave the Senate in January, as the Democrats may win a majority in the November midterm elections, potentially jeopardizing Blanche's chances of becoming the 88th US Attorney General.