President Trump’s Ultimatum to Senators Over AG Confirmation

President Trump delivered an ultimatum to Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, demanding they stop delaying Todd Blanche’s confirmation as Attorney General. If they continue to stall, Trump plans to push forward his “anti-weaponization fund.”

Tillis and Cornyn have resisted voting for Blanche unless Trump provides written assurance he will abandon the fund. This fund, valued at nearly $1.8 billion, was designed to compensate individuals claiming political persecution. It emerged from a settlement with the IRS and Treasury Department, announced in May.

On Saturday morning, Trump declared the fund off the table, but warned he would retain Blanche as Acting AG and pursue the fund if the senators continue opposing Blanche’s confirmation.

“If Senators Cornyn and Tillis, both upset because I wouldn’t endorse them (they lost and quit, respectively!), aren’t going to approve Todd Blanche—one of the most respected professionals in the country to be the United States Attorney General—then I will keep Todd as Acting AG and push hard to pass the Anti-Weaponization Bill…” Trump stated on Truth Social.

During his hearing earlier in July, Blanche insisted the fund was “dead.” Cornyn highlighted that any changes require a written agreement by all parties.

“Has there been a written agreement of the parties to modify the settlement fund?” Cornyn asked.

“No, the settlement fund is not moving forward,” Blanche replied. “There’s no modification. It never started. No money moved from the Treasury to any other account.”

After postponing the vote last week due to Cornyn and Tillis’ objection, the Senate Judiciary Committee announced it will conduct the vote on Blanche’s nomination this Tuesday at 9 a.m.

“Chairman Grassley wants Todd Blanche’s nomination to succeed,” the committee stated, agreeing to the markup to allow the White House to secure the necessary votes. Grassley hopes for Blanche’s confirmation before the August recess, citing Blanche’s exceptional record in restoring law and order.

The Senate’s summer recess begins at the end of next week, extending until mid-September.