Blanche nomination collides with anger over anti-weaponization fund

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination for the permanent post is set to collide with the intense anger still percolating among several key Republicans over his role in creating President Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund.

Blanche, who is serving as acting attorney general, told Congress last week that the administration is not moving forward with the fund, though the message may have been undercut by Trump saying the fund was “a great idea” and that he will be disappointed if “they don’t get it approved.” 

Despite Blanche’s assurances, multiple Republicans broke with their party during a marathon series of amendment votes last week to vote in favor of blocking the creation of the fund.

Blanche will have to face some of the fund’s most ardent opponents — along with GOP senators who lost primaries to Trump-backed challengers — in the Judiciary Committee, which will handle his attorney general nomination, as well as on the Senate floor.

Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) told reporters last week that Congress would have more chances to “kill the fund” in the future, including sinking Blanche’s nomination, if needed. 

“We have lots of must-pass legislation,” Curtis said. “We have now the nomination of Todd Blanche that we can hold up if we feel like he’s not keeping up with his promise.”

Key among the lawmakers Blanche will face includes Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who sponsored an amendment last week to redirect the $1.8 billion set aside for the “anti-weaponization” fund to bolster the budget for cracking down on fraud against U.S. taxpayers. He has also railed against the fund as “politically tone deaf” and a “payout pot for punks.”

Tillis has proven willing to clash with the White House since announcing his retirement last year.

Also on the committee is........

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