Trump Threatens to Revive "anti-weaponization fund" Unless Senate Confirms Blanche

Trump Administration

August 1, 2026

President Donald Trump publicly pressured Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn by threatening to revive his controversial "anti-weaponization fund" unless they vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general.

The threat came just one day after Trump and Blanche had insisted the nearly $1.8 billion fund was effectively dead. Blanche told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the fund was "not moving forward," and the Justice Department had previously informed a federal court that it had been abandoned. Now, Trump is reversing course.

In a Truth Social post, Trump declared that if Tillis and Cornyn refuse to confirm Blanche, he will keep Blanche as acting attorney general and "push hard" to pass the "Anti-Weaponization Bill," reviving the compensation program that had been shelved amid legal challenges and bipartisan opposition.

The timing has drawn criticism because Tillis and Cornyn had conditioned their support for Blanche on assurances that the fund would remain permanently off the table. Trump's latest statement appears to withdraw that assurance, using the prospect of reviving the fund as leverage to pressure the senators into supporting his nominee.

Tillis sharply criticized the reversal, saying Trump "clearly intends to resurrect the payout pot" despite repeated assurances that the fund was dead. He called the move unfortunate, adding that Blanche—whom he considers qualified—now risks losing confirmation because of Trump's change in position.

Only hours later, during a Cabinet meeting, Trump offered another mixed message, saying the fund was "dead" but adding, "I wish it weren't," before arguing that people he believes were unfairly prosecuted deserve compensation. He also stated that if Blanche remained in the acting role, the proposal would "immediately be back on the table."

The conflicting statements have fueled accusations that Trump is using the fund as political leverage rather than following through on previous commitments. Critics argue that telling senators the fund is dead while simultaneously threatening to revive it unless they support his nominee amounts to an attempt to pressure Congress through shifting promises.

The proposed fund has faced legal challenges since its announcement. A federal judge temporarily blocked it, while the nonprofit Democracy Forward argued that the executive branch lacks authority to create what it called a political rewards program without congressional approval. Many Democrats have labeled it a "slush fund," and several Republicans have also opposed the proposal, making its eventual passage uncertain even if Trump continues to push for it.

Why is Trump stuck with Blanche? 

Blanche was Trump's lead criminal defense attorney in several of his highest-profile criminal cases before joining the Justice Department. Since becoming deputy attorney general and then acting attorney general, he has been one of the officials most closely identified with carrying out Trump's agenda at DOJ.

Apart from representing Trump personally during multiple criminal prosecutions and creating an unusually close working relationship that predates his government service, as acting attorney general, Blanche oversees investigations, prosecutions, and DOJ policy. Trump wants Blanche in the permanent role, even threatening to keep him as acting AG if the Senate refuses to confirm him. Critics argue Blanche has been willing to implement Trump's priorities at DOJ, while supporters say he is restoring accountability and law enforcement. The Maxwell interviews have certainly increased scrutiny of Blanche, and many commentators have speculated that Blanche's handling of the Maxwell matter increased Trump's confidence in him.