Trump Threatens to Reinstate Fund Amid AG Nomination Turmoil

WHO:

NBC News - President Trump, Todd Blanche (nominated for Attorney General), Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn.

Alternet - President Trump, Todd Blanche, Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, "Crooked Joe Biden" and "Obuma" (referring to former President Obama).

WHAT:

NBC News - Trump stated in a Truth Social post, "If Senators Cornyn and Tillis...aren’t going to approve Todd Blanche...then I will keep Todd as Acting A.G., and push hard to get the Anti-Weaponization Bill...PASSED."

Alternet - Trump referred to Todd Blanche as "one of the most respected professionals, according to everybody, in the Country," in a Truth Social post.

USA Today - Trump claimed the fund "takes care of those who have been so badly treated by the Crooked Joe Biden (and Obuma!) Administration."

NBC News - Trump stated he would "get it done" regarding the revival of the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund if Todd Blanche's nomination is blocked.

USA Today - Trump mentioned that the fund would "immediately be back on the table" if Blanche is not confirmed.

USA Today - The “anti-weaponization fund” is described as a $1.776 billion Department of Justice fund intended to offer taxpayer dollars to individuals claiming to be victims of political backlash and legal challenges.

NBC News - Trump stated he would "push hard" to get the "Anti-Weaponization Bill" passed if Todd Blanche's nomination is blocked.

Alternet - Trump claimed that if Senators Cornyn and Tillis do not approve Todd Blanche, he will keep him as Acting A.G. and revive the "anti-weaponization" fund, which he described as taking care of those treated poorly by the Biden administration.

Alternet - Trump referred to Todd Blanche as "a voice of reason" in his Truth Social post.

NBC News - Trump threatened to “push hard” to keep a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund active.

Alternet - Trump stated he would codify the “anti-weaponization” fund into law if Blanche's nomination is blocked.

Alternet - Trump referred to Todd Blanche as “one of the most respected professionals, according to everybody, in the Country.”

Alternet - Trump’s post on Truth Social indicated he would keep Todd as Acting A.G. if the nomination fails.

WHERE:

NBC News - The events are occurring within the context of the U.S. Senate and the Trump administration.

WHEN:

USA Today - The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to meet on "Tuesday, Aug. 4" to potentially move Blanche's nomination for confirmation.

Alternet - Trump mentioned a potential resolution regarding Todd Blanche's confirmation by "Tuesday."

WHY:

USA Today - Trump criticized Senators Tillis and Cornyn for their opposition to the fund, suggesting their actions are linked to their electoral losses and their failure to receive his endorsement.

Alternet - Trump criticized Senators Cornyn and Tillis for their opposition to his slush fund, linking their actions to their previous electoral losses and suggesting they were upset because he did not endorse them.

USA Today - Trump criticized Senators Tillis and Cornyn for their opposition to the fund, suggesting their actions are linked to their electoral losses and their failure to receive his endorsement.

NBC News - The feud is over Todd Blanche’s nomination for Attorney General and his unwillingness to commit to killing certain provisions in writing.

Alternet - Trump criticized Senators Cornyn and Tillis for their opposition to his slush fund, suggesting their actions are linked to their previous electoral losses.

HOW:

USA Today - Trump filed an appeal on "July 31" to reopen access to the “anti-weaponization” fund.

Alternet - Trump used a post on Truth Social to express his intentions regarding the "anti-weaponization" fund and Todd Blanche’s nomination, stating, "If Senators Cornyn and Tillis...aren’t going to approve Todd Blanche...then I will keep Todd as Acting A.G., and push hard to get the Anti-Weaponization Bill...PASSED."

Alternet - Trump used a post on Truth Social to express his intentions regarding the “anti-weaponization” fund and Todd Blanche’s nomination.

(UPDATED August 2, 2026 17:53 UTC)

Trump took to Truth Social to assert that if Senators Cornyn and Tillis do not approve Todd Blanche, he will keep him as Acting Attorney General and push for the passage of the Anti-Weaponization Bill. He praised Blanche as "one of the most respected professionals, according to everybody, in the Country," while also criticizing the two senators for their opposition to his fund, suggesting it stemmed from their electoral losses and his refusal to endorse them. The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to meet on Tuesday, August 4, to potentially advance Blanche's nomination for confirmation.

(UPDATED August 2, 2026 07:28 UTC)

Trump has pledged to revive the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund if Todd Blanche's nomination is blocked, stating that it would "immediately be back on the table." This fund, totaling $1.776 billion, is designed to provide financial support to individuals claiming to be victims of political backlash and legal challenges. The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to meet on "Tuesday, Aug. 4" to discuss Blanche's confirmation, while Trump has criticized Senators Tillis and Cornyn for their opposition to the fund, linking it to their electoral setbacks.

(UPDATED August 1, 2026 22:16 UTC)

Trump announced that he would "push hard" to pass the "Anti-Weaponization Bill" if Todd Blanche's nomination is blocked, while also indicating he would keep Blanche as Acting Attorney General and revive the anti-weaponization fund if Senators Cornyn and Tillis do not approve him. In a post on Truth Social, Trump referred to Blanche as "a voice of reason" and criticized the two senators for their opposition, linking their actions to past electoral losses and suggesting they were upset over his lack of endorsement. He emphasized his commitment to the anti-weaponization fund as a means of supporting those he believes were treated poorly by the Biden administration.

(UPDATED August 1, 2026 18:15 UTC)

President Trump is pushing hard to keep a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund active and has threatened to codify it into law if Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General is blocked. He praised Blanche as “one of the most respected professionals, according to everybody, in the Country,” and indicated he would retain him as Acting Attorney General if the nomination fails. Trump also mentioned that a resolution regarding Blanche's confirmation could come by Tuesday, while criticizing Senators Cornyn and Tillis for their opposition to his funding initiative.