President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of Senate Republican John Cornyn, R-Texas, accusing him of obstructing the confirmation of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. The nomination has stalled amid disagreements over a nearly $2 billion anti-weaponization fund and provisions related to audit immunity.

Trump claimed Cornyn had no issue with the fund, which is intended to benefit American Patriots allegedly harmed by the Biden administration, until Trump endorsed Cornyn’s Republican primary opponent in Texas, who subsequently won the nomination for the U.S. Senate. Trump stated on Truth Social, "John Cornyn never had a problem with the so-called ‘Fund,’ which will not benefit me, but rather the great American Patriots who were hunted down like dogs and whose lives were unfairly and illegally destroyed by the Crooked Joe Biden Administration, until after I decided to Endorse and Support his Republican Primary opponent in Texas, who easily won the Nomination for the United States Senate."

The Texas Republican has also sought changes to Trump’s audit immunity terms, demands that remain unmet as negotiations continue between lawmakers and the administration. Trump expressed sympathy for victims of government abuse, saying, "I will always feel that these victims of government abuse should be paid back for what they were forced to endure, their lives have been ruined."

Meanwhile, Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, postponed Blanche’s confirmation hearing, originally scheduled for Thursday, prompting Trump to threaten withdrawing the nomination. Blanche himself noted complications in the process, stating, "I think if this were just between me and Todd Blanche, we would have worked this out. But apparently he's getting some pushback from higher-ups at the White House. I don't know who, but this doesn't need to be this hard."

The dispute reflects broader tensions linked to the bitter Texas Republican primary, where Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against Cornyn’s preferred candidate.

Sources