Trump defends $1.8bn slush fund that is holding up Todd Blanche confirmation
Summary
President Donald Trump supports a $1.8 billion fund linked to a deal resolving his lawsuit against the IRS. The fund’s existence is blocking the Senate’s approval of Todd Blanche as attorney general because some senators want guarantees it won’t be used improperly.Key Facts
- Todd Blanche is currently acting attorney general and was nominated to hold the job permanently.
- The $1.8 billion fund is part of a deal to settle a $10 billion lawsuit Trump filed against the IRS over leaked tax returns.
- The fund would give money with no restrictions to Trump allies and would stop the IRS from auditing Trump’s tax returns.
- Some Democrats and watchdog groups call the fund a “slush fund” and worry it could pay people convicted related to the January 6 Capitol riot.
- Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, both Republicans, want written assurances the fund won’t be activated before approving Blanche.
- Blanche has not provided the requested assurance, delaying the Senate vote on his nomination.
- President Trump says he may temporarily withdraw Blanche’s nomination and resubmit it later to get around the current opposition.
- Blanche was Trump’s personal lawyer before joining the Justice Department and has faced questions about his past work and the fund plan.
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