Acting AG Defends Trump Fund and Tax Immunity in Senate Hearing
Controversial 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' and Trump's audit protections face bipartisan scrutiny.
1Fate of Controversial Fund
Acting AG Todd Blanche defended the Trump-era $1.776B 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' in Senate hearings. While claiming it was discontinued, senators questioned the lack of written guarantees. Republican Cornyn warned the fund could potentially be revived without explicit termination.
2Ongoing Tax Protections
Blanche confirmed Trump's family retains immunity from current tax audits, though future filings remain subject to review. His 'no one above the law' statement drew skepticism given the special arrangements made for the former president.
3Intra-Party Resistance
Republican senators Cornyn and Tillis pressured Blanche to fully abolish the fund, risking his confirmation. Retiring senators' potential independence from Trump could shift the balance in the closely divided committee.
4Epstein Files Mishandling
DOJ's flawed release of Epstein documents—including uncensored victim photos—faced sharp criticism. Blanche admitted errors but defended transparency, despite files being released only after congressional pressure.
5Personal Lawyer Allegations
Democrats accused Blanche of acting as Trump's personal counsel, citing FBI prosecutor removals and investigations into political rivals. These actions contradicted his prior confirmation hearing pledges.
6Justice System Trust Crisis
Blanche argued Biden-era investigations eroded faith in justice, claiming 'we're fixing it.' Critics viewed this as partisan maneuvering, deepening concerns about DOJ independence.
7Confirmation Tipping Point
Blanche needs unanimous GOP support in committee. Cornyn's hesitation and Epstein file scandals may become pivotal in this historic justice department leadership battle.
Original article: Fortune | FORTUNE — Başsavcı Vekili'nin Trump Fonu ve Vergi Muafiyeti Savunması