President Donald Trump said he will push ahead with the controversial “anti-weaponization fund” if his attorney general nominee, Todd Blanche, is not confirmed by the Senate.
Trump made the pledge amid a standoff over Blanche’s confirmation, according to reports. The fund has been a point of contention, but Blanche himself has previously told Congress on multiple occasions that it is “dead.”
The president’s statement suggests he is prepared to revive or advance the fund as a fallback should Blanche’s nomination fail. The fund’s exact purpose was not detailed in the reports, but it has drawn opposition from critics.
Blanche, a former defense attorney, has faced a difficult confirmation process. His repeated statements to lawmakers that the fund was no longer viable appear to conflict with Trump’s current pledge to pursue it.
It remains unclear when a vote on Blanche’s nomination will take place or what steps Trump might take to establish the fund without his appointee in place. The White House has not commented further.
The fund has been described as controversial, and its revival could spark additional political battles in Washington. Trump’s comments mark a firm stance on an issue that he had previously appeared to set aside.