Trump Defends 'Anti-Weaponization' Fund as Todd Blanche Nomination Stalls
Critics say the revision gives a political appointee control over prison placements and could affect more than 20,000 federal sex offenders, former officials said.
- On Friday, July 31, 2026, President Donald Trump defended his proposed $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund while demanding the immediate confirmation of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, whose nomination remains stalled in the Senate.
- Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis have blocked the nomination, seeking written assurances that the Justice Department will not implement the $1.8 billion program, which critics describe as a potential slush fund.
- Under Blanche's supervision, a May 6 policy shift grants the attorney general authority to personally designate inmate prison placements, a responsibility traditionally held by career Bureau of Prisons officials.
- Ghislaine Maxwell remains the only one of more than 20,000 federal sex offenders to receive minimum-security placement, which former senior Bureau of Prisons officials said raises concerns about potential political favoritism in confinement conditions.
- Rep. Jamie Raskin warned the policy shift risks turning prisons into political weapons, arguing the system resembles authoritarian societies where justice depends on the "fury or the mercy of the king.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Trump says $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund is dead amid GOP Senate standoff
Donald Trump said the anti-weaponization fund was dead as Republican senators continued to block Todd Blanche's confirmation. The stand-off has added to confusion over the fund and kept Blanche's nomination stuck in the Senate.
Trump questioned about 'anti-weaponization' fund during Cabinet meeting at Camp David
President Trump said that the "anti-weaponization" fund set up after a settlement with the IRS was "dead" when questioned about it at a Cabinet meeting. NBC News' Gabe Gutierrez reports on what the president had to say about the fund and holdouts over acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination.
Trump defends ‘anti-weaponization’ fund as Blanche nomination stalls | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
WASHINGTON >> President Donald Trump today defended his proposed “anti-weaponization” fund amid a standoff with fellow Republicans in the Senate that has stalled his bid to get acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche in the role permanently.
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