Blanche wins support from GOP holdouts after vowing to scrap 'anti-weaponization fund'

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche cleared a major hurdle in his push to permanently lead the Department of Justice. He reached a deal with two GOP senators who had said they would block his nomination. Blanche put into writing that the DOJ is scrapping a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund that could have provided settlements to the Trump allies, including Jan. 6 rioters. Ali Rogin reports.

Ali Rogin: This deal came about after several weeks of talks between Senator Cornyn and the White House. The White House had a lot of resistance. President Trump had openly contemplated withdrawing Blanche's nomination and simply waiting out Senators Cornyn and Tillis because they lost their primaries a few weeks ago and will be leaving the Senate.

But late last night, there was some agreement. Blanche released a new written order rescinding the so-called anti-weaponization fund. The order is a half-a-page-long and declares that the fund is -- quote -- "rescinded and shall have no force or effect." And it says it establishes -- quote -- "beyond any doubt that there is no fund."

Today, Tillis and Cornyn said that Blanche has addressed their concerns and they are ready to support his nomination.

Ali Rogin: There is nothing in this language that would prevent either of those things from happening. Even though the document says that there is no more fund, Trump allies could still claim weaponized prosecutions and seek compensation from other government accounts.

And as of last night, President Trump was defending this fund and talking about it as a very real possibility, as he did last night on Air Force One. Take a listen.

President Donald Trump: These people were attacked. And this would be a reimbursement, going to pay them. A lot of people like it. If they don't approve Todd, I will put it back on the table. A lot of people like it. A lot of big supporters of Trump like it.

Ali Rogin: Democrats are calling this deal meaningless. Senator Adam Schiff said on a social media post that it -- quote -- "doesn't prevent payouts to violent insurrectionists in the future. It doesn't prevent the administration from bringing the slush fund back from the dead next week or using an existing DOJ settlement fund for the same purpose."

And Schiff notes it leaves in place Trump's tax immunity deal.

Amna Nawaz: So, when it comes to tomorrow's vote, is that now a lock for Todd Blanche?

Ali Rogin: It seems so. The math is there for him to proceed out of committee. In terms of the full Senate confirmation, it seems like he also has the votes there too. That vote is set to -- expected to happen on Saturday.

Blanche can afford to lose two Republicans. It's a slightly smaller margin than has been the case because Senator Mitch McConnell is still out. But the fact that Tillis and Cornyn have gotten on board is a pretty good barometer for other moderate Senate Republicans like Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins.