Trump defends ‘anti-weaponization’ fund, further complicating Blanche nomination

Republicans Thom Tillis and John Cornyn have been holding up Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general, seeking assurances the controversial fund is dead.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday defended his administration’s controversial proposal for a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” for Jan. 6 defendants and others who he says were unfairly targeted by the government.

Trump’s continued flirtation with the weaponization fund undermines assurances from his acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and others in the administration that the idea, which faces strong opposition from some key Republicans, is dead.

The issue delayed for several weeks and nearly derailed a $70 billion bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol through the end of Trump’s term.

And it has thrown Blanche’s nomination to be the nation’s chief law enforcement official into limbo, with two Republicans — Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina — blocking it over concerns about the settlement between Trump and the IRS that created the weaponization fund.

Add NBC News to GoogleTrump questioned about 'anti-weaponization' fund during Cabinet meeting at Camp David05:09But Trump’s comments Friday are only worsening tensions with the two senators.