Driving the news: President Trump reversed course Saturday, posting on Truth Social that he would 'push hard to get the Anti-Weaponization Bill passed' if Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) continue to block the confirmation of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Just 24 hours earlier, Trump told reporters at Camp David the $1.776 billion fund was 'dead.'
The big picture: The fund originated from a settlement between Trump's private attorneys and his own Justice Department. It was designed to compensate people who claim political persecution under the Biden administration — including Jan. 6 rioters. A federal judge has already ruled the IRS settlement underlying the fund was not legal.
By the numbers: - $1.776 billion — size of the fund - $10 billion — Trump's original lawsuit against the IRS - 2 — Republican senators blocking Blanche's confirmation
Between the lines: Cornyn and Tillis have demanded written DOJ assurances the fund is permanently dead — assurances Blanche has not produced. Cornyn lost his primary to Ken Paxton after Trump endorsed his rival; Tillis announced retirement after tensions with Trump. Trump accused both of 'pursuing a political vendetta.'
Tillis fired back Saturday: 'President Trump clearly intends to resurrect the payout pot for punks.'
What's next: Tillis said he hopes the standoff can 'be resolved by Tuesday.'
The bottom line: Trump's flip-flop hands Senate skeptics exactly the ammunition they needed. A fund compensating Jan. 6 participants with taxpayer dollars was always a political liability — Republican leaders called it 'toxic' ahead of November midterms. Threatening to bypass Senate confirmation and legislate the fund into existence doubles the damage. The administrative state Trump vowed to dismantle is looking more durable than his own coalition right now.