Trump Defends 'Anti-Weaponization' Fund as Blanche Attorney General Nomination Stalls in Senate

Where would the money for the fund come from?

According to The Guardian, the payout scheme would be created under agreements resolving a $10 billion lawsuit Trump filed against the Internal Revenue Service Guardian. The Atlantic similarly describes it as arising from a settlement between Trump and the IRS that would establish a $1.8 billion fund Atlantic. Raw Story characterizes it as taxpayer-funded Raw Story.

Why is the fund blocking a confirmation vote?

Blanche's nomination must clear the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Cornyn and Tillis have declined to advance it without written commitments from the Justice Department that the compensation program will be dropped and not revived CNN International,TODAY.com,Mediaite. Because Republicans hold a narrow committee and chamber majority, the two senators' objections are enough to stall the vote Hill.

What happens to the Justice Department while the nomination is stalled?

Blanche can continue serving as acting attorney general while his nomination remains pending Economic Times. Trump has floated pulling the nomination and resubmitting it in 2027, after Cornyn and Tillis leave office, though Sen. John Kennedy said that approach is risky because Senate control could change in the November elections CNN International,Hill.