Todd Blanche, President Trump's nominee for attorney general, cleared a major hurdle after he formally rescinded a controversial $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" for Trump allies, winning support from two key Republican senators.
Senator John Cornyn of Texas, a leading holdout, struck a deal that ended the fund. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina also backed Blanche following the move. The Senate now appears ready to advance the nomination.
The confirmation had been stalled over concerns about the planned fund, which critics saw as a way to reward Trump allies, as well as the president's immunity from tax scrutiny. By issuing a formal order to eliminate the fund, Blanche removed a central obstacle, allowing Cornyn and Tillis to pledge their support.
The development signals growing momentum for Blanche's confirmation, though a final Senate vote has not yet been scheduled.