Video News Clips: In Their Own Words

Sen. John Cornyn Presses Trump’s AG Nominee About DOJ Anti-Weaponization Fund

USDAgov, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Republican Texas Senator John Cornyn pressed acting Attorney General Todd Blanche about the Department of Justice’s Anti-Weaponization Fund during Blanche’s Wednesday confirmation hearing.

Blanche played a key role in creating and defending the now-canceled $1.8 billion fund that was designed to financially compensate victims of alleged government lawfare. Cornyn — who is widely regarded as a crucial swing vote on Blanche’s confirmation — asked the nominee to clarify his current position on the fund.

“Yes, it is a moot issue. A moot issue meaning there is no weaponization fund, the weaponization fund is dead,” Blanche told the senator.

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Cornyn has become increasingly critical of President Donald Trump after losing his May GOP primary runoff to Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a 28-point landslide. Trump endorsed Paxton over the 24-year-incumbent one week before the runoff.

Trump had accused Cornyn of not being loyal and not fighting hard enough to pass his agenda, in a May 25 Truth Social post.

Also during the hearing, Cornyn asked if there had been a written agreement by the parties on the settlement fund. To this, Blanche answered “no” and continued to say that the fund “is just not moving forward.”

Blanche argued that the plaintiffs have no power over the fund, but they could bring a lawsuit. Even if it were to be litigated there is no fund so there “wouldn’t be revival of the fund,” he said during the hearing.

Outside the hearing room, Cornyn told reporters he is still undecided on whether he will vote for or against Blanche.

“I continue to have some concerns, but I’m not going to make any decisions at this point,” he said, The Hill reported. “I’m going to wait until we actually vote on a confirmation.”

The Texas senator is not the only outgoing Republican who can potentially vote against confirming the acting attorney general to lead the DOJ on a permanent basis.

Retiring Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said in June that he would not commit to supporting Blanche’s nomination if the Department of Justice would not be separate from Trump’s influence.