President Donald Trump said Sunday that his proposed “anti-weaponization fund” could be revived if the Senate does not confirm Todd Blanche, signaling that the controversial proposal remains an option as lawmakers continue debating Blanche’s nomination.
Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One following a day of golf at his Bedminster Club, Trump fielded questions during a brief press gaggle, including one about the status of the proposed fund.
Before addressing the issue, the president paused to exchange words with an ABC News reporter.
After asking which news organization the reporter represented, Trump initially believed the answer was the BBC.
When the reporter clarified that he was with ABC News, Trump responded, “Oh, ABC. That’s worse.”
“I like BBC better than ABC News,” Trump added before allowing the reporter to continue with the question.
The reporter asked whether the “anti-weaponization fund” was once again under consideration and what Trump’s plans were for the proposal.
Trump tied the issue directly to Todd Blanche, whom he praised while criticizing opposition to his nomination.
“No, if they don’t approve — Look, we have a man named Todd Blanche. He’s outstanding in every way,” Trump said. “Most of you know who he is. You’re not gonna find a better person. And everybody agrees.”
The president argued that resistance to Blanche stemmed from his own involvement in the Texas Republican Senate primary.
“And it’s because I backed Cornyn’s opponent and his opponent won in a landslide. That’s the only reason it’s happening,” Trump said.
Trump then defended the proposed fund by pointing to people he believes suffered as a result of what he described as government actions against them.
“But I will say there are a lot of people that like — People were hurt so badly,” Trump said.
He claimed that “Twenty-two suicides” had occurred and said families had been devastated.
“They were destroyed. Their families were destroyed for doing things that, honestly, there’s never been an attack on any group of people in this country, in my opinion,” Trump said.
“Maybe one. There’s one group that was attacked violently and viciously, like these people were attacked.”
Trump said the proposed fund would serve as compensation for those individuals.
“And this would be a reimbursement for the pain that they suffered,” he said. “A lot of people like it.”
The president also made clear that the proposal could be revived if Blanche’s confirmation effort stalls in the Senate.
“If they don’t approve Todd, I’ll put it back on the table,” Trump said. “A lot of people like it. A lot of big supporters of Trump like it.”
The proposal has become a central issue in the debate surrounding Blanche’s nomination.
According to the article, Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana have all said they will oppose Blanche’s confirmation unless they receive written assurances that Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion fund has been permanently abandoned.
The article states that the proposal concerns payments Trump wants to make to individuals, including Jan. 6 rioters.
Democrats have also voiced opposition to Blanche’s nomination.
Appearing on CNN Friday, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., expressed skepticism that Blanche has enough support to win confirmation.
“The math’s just not there,” Fetterman said.
The Pennsylvania senator added that he has not encountered Republican lawmakers who support the proposed fund.
“I’m a hard no on Blanche, and I mean, I haven’t encountered a single… Republican that’s like, ‘Oh, I love that $1.8 billion slush fund,’ or whatever you want to refer to it at all,” Fetterman said.
“It doesn’t make any sense. I mean, it’s unconstitutional, honestly, from what it seems. And I don’t see him being confirmed.”
Trump’s latest comments indicate that the proposed anti-weaponization fund remains a potential bargaining point as the fight over Blanche’s nomination continues in the Senate.
[READ MORE: Trump Wins Senior Division of Bedminster Club Championship]
