Trump defends $1.8bn slush fund that is holding up Todd Blanche confirmation

Key Points:

• Former President Donald Trump has defended a controversial $1.8 billion fund proposed by the Department of Justice, intended to compensate his supporters, amid opposition that is delaying the confirmation of his former personal lawyer Todd Blanche as US attorney general.
• The fund, part of a settlement related to Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax returns, would provide unrestricted payouts to allies and bar IRS audits on Trump's returns, drawing criticism from Democrats and watchdogs who label it a slush fund potentially benefiting January 6 defendants.
• Two Republican senators, John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, have demanded written assurances that the fund will never be activated before supporting Blanche's confirmation, causing the Senate judiciary committee to postpone the vote; Blanche has not provided such assurances.
• Trump accused Cornyn of opposing the fund only after Trump endorsed Cornyn's primary opponent, Ken Paxton, who defeated Cornyn in May, and indicated willingness to withdraw Blanche’s nomination temporarily until those senators leave office.
• Blanche, previously Trump's personal defense lawyer, has faced scrutiny over his past political payments and handling of sensitive files, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune expects the nomination to return for a vote once concerns are resolved.