Trump defends ‘anti-weaponization’ fund, further complicating Blanche nomination

Donald TrumpTrump defends ‘anti-weaponization’ fund, further complicating Blanche nominationRepublican Sens. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn have been holding up Trump’s nomination for attorney general, seeking assurances that the controversial weaponization fund is dead.Then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche during a press briefing with President Donald Trump at the White House on June 27, 2025. Demetrius Freeman/ / The Washington Post via Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJuly 31, 2026, 3:03 PM EDTBy Frank Thorp V, Julie Tsirkin and Scott WongWASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday defended his administration’s controversial proposal for a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” for Jan. 6 defendants and others who he says were unfairly targeted by the government.Trump’s continued flirtation with the weaponization fund undermines assurances from his acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and others in the administration that the idea, which faces strong opposition from some key Republicans, is dead.The issue delayed for several weeks and nearly derailed a $70 billion bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol through the end of Trump’s term.And it’s thrown Blanche’s nomination to be the nation’s chief law enforcement official into limbo, with two Republicans — Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina — blocking it over concerns about the settlement between Trump and the IRS that created the weaponization fund.Add NBC News to GoogleTrump questioned about 'anti-weaponization' fund during Cabinet meeting at Camp David05:09But Trump’s comments Friday are only worsening tensions with the two senators.Asked Friday at a Cabinet meeting if the fund is dead, Trump replied: “It is dead, but you know, I wish it weren’t. To be honest with you, I think people were horribly treated, horribly abused. This has nothing to do with Todd.”Blanche is now unlikely to be confirmed before the Senate departs next week f...