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Blanche confronts skeptical questioning of fund, tax deal for Trump at Senate confirmation hearing

The Associated Press · back to the audit

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confronted skeptical questioning at a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday about the creation of a fund to compensate President Donald Trump's allies and a tax immunity deal for the president as he aimed to lock down the Republican support needed to advance his nomination.

Blanche insisted that the $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund," which was scrapped after fierce bipartisan backlash, was "not moving forward." But lawmakers, including Republican Sen. John Cornyn, conveyed concerns that the Trump administration has yet to commit in writing that the fund is dead and could therefore conceivably be resurrected.

"Just to be clear, the president of the United States, who's a plaintiff in this lawsuit, has not agreed in writing to delete the 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' and there's no guarantee that he won't raise it in the future?" Cornyn asked. Blanche replied that Trump has no power over the fund, which was to have been administered by the Justice Department but never launched.

Cornyn's questions were closely watched since Blanche requires the backing of all Republicans on the Judiciary Committee and the Texas senator has not committed his support.