US President Donald Trump has threatened to bring back a contentious $1.8 billion fund designed to compensate his allies, as he faces resistance from two Republican senators blocking the confirmation of his attorney general nominee, Todd Blanche.

Blanche, who has served as acting attorney general since April, requires full Republican backing on the Senate Judiciary Committee to secure confirmation. However, Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina have withheld their support, citing concerns over the future of the so-called "anti-weaponisation fund." Both senators’ terms expire in January.

Trump indicated on social media platform Truth Social that if Blanche’s nomination is not approved, he will maintain Blanche in the acting role and aggressively pursue reviving the fund.

Background on the Anti-Weaponisation Fund

The fund was initially proposed earlier this year as a settlement mechanism for Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service concerning leaked tax returns. It intended to provide compensation to Trump allies allegedly targeted by politically motivated prosecutions under prior administrations.

The plan faced widespread criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, who feared it might enable payouts to individuals involved in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, including those convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers. Due to the backlash, Blanche, who negotiated the proposal, abandoned the initiative.

Additionally, a federal judge blocked the fund, citing ethical concerns.

Senators’ Demands and Trump’s Response

  • Cornyn and Tillis demand a written assurance from Blanche that the Justice Department will not resurrect the fund if confirmed.
  • Trump’s administration has not provided such a guarantee.
  • Tillis criticized Trump’s intentions on X, calling the fund a "payout pot for punks" and lamenting that Blanche’s confirmation is stalled due to the issue.
  • The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday to potentially vote on Blanche’s nomination.

Trump’s Position and Political Fallout

Despite previously declaring the fund "dead," Trump expressed sympathy for those he believes were mistreated by the justice system and voiced a desire to see them compensated.

Meanwhile, Cornyn and Tillis, both lame-duck senators, remain significant obstacles for Trump despite his assertions that their political careers are over. Their opposition stems from previous political disagreements, including Tillis’s resistance to Trump’s tax and spending bill and Cornyn’s fallout after Trump endorsed his challenger for re-election.