<p>Sen. Thom Tillis said Saturday morning that new <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/31/trump-blanche-doj-anti-weaponization-fund-dead" target="_blank">comments by President Trump</a> about his <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/20/trump-anti-weaponization-fund-judgment-fund-explainer" target="_blank">"anti-weaponization" fund</a> mean that attorney general nominee Todd Blanche won't be confirmed by the Senate next week.</p><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>Tillis's comment escalates the fight between the White House and holdout Senate Republicans over whether Trump's fund for people he considers victims of political persecution is dead or not.</p><hr><p><strong>What they're saying: "</strong>Despite comments as late as yesterday that the fund is dead, President Trump clearly intends to resurrect the payout pot for punks either by inappropriately establishing another bogus fund or pushing Congress to vote for a bill that the majority of Republicans in the Senate would be against," Tillis (R-N.C.) <a href="https://x.com/senthomtillis/status/2083528424199537032?s=46" target="_blank">posted</a> to X.</p><ul><li>"It's unfortunate that Todd Blanche, who I consider qualified for the job, will not be confirmed because of this reversal. Hopefully, we can resolve this by Tuesday."</li></ul><p><strong>For the record: </strong>The White House was not immediately available to comment on Tillis's remarks.</p><p><em>Editor's note: This is a developing story. </em></p>