Trump's comments reignite Blanche confirmation fight
Axios · LC · trust 28/100
Add Axios on Google Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche attends a Cabinet Meeting on July 31 in Camp David, Maryland. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
The Trump administration is still pushing lawmakers to confirm acting Attorney General Todd Blanche , even as President Trump defends the "anti-weaponization" fund holding Blanche's confirmation hostage.
The big picture: The "anti-weaponization" fund has been the red line for Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). The lawmakers have refused to vote for Blanche until the DOJ put into writing that aspects of the deal aren't moving forward .
Friction point: Tillis seemed to take issue with Trump defending the fund on Truth Social, retweeting a screenshot of the president's words on Friday and writing that Trump had "made it clear" that the fund "is still alive."
Earlier Friday, the president went after Cornyn, and said he would "always feel that these victims of government abuse should be paid back for what they were forced to endure."
Catch up quick: The president on Thursday floated withdrawing Blanche's name and keeping him on in an acting capacity until Cornyn and Tillis leave the Senate this January.
What we're watching: While the battle over Blanche plays out in Washington, attorneys for the president said Friday that they'd appeal a Miami-based federal judge's order that blasted the extraordinary deal to drop the IRS suit against his own government.
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