Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed off on a nearly $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate President Donald Trump’s allies for alleged political prosecution. The move has drawn Republican criticism and heightened concerns among Democrats and other critics that Blanche remains closely aligned with Trump as a personal attorney. Blanche has taken additional high-profile Justice Department actions since becoming acting attorney general, including an indictment of former FBI Director James Comey. Supporters and opponents view these steps as efforts to demonstrate loyalty to Trump and secure the permanent attorney general role. Republican lawmakers whose support Blanche would need for nomination have expressed agitation over the fund and its purpose.
"When acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed off on a nearly $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate President Donald Trump's allies for alleged political prosecution, he may have pleased his boss. But the eyebrow-raising move - the latest in his push to prove his loyalty to Trump - has agitated the same Republican lawmakers whose support he would need if he is nominated for the permanent job."
"Blanche insists he's not auditioning for the job of attorney general. But a series of splashy steps the Justice Department has taken under his watch since he took the position on an acting basis last month, including an indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, has left no doubt about the impression he's hoping to make on the president who appointed him."
"The fund in particular has put Blanche at the center of a Republican firestorm at a time when he aims to establish himself as the perfect person for the post for the remainder of Trump's term. And it sharpened concerns from Democrats and other Blanche critics that he has not shed his mantle as the president's personal attorney."
""So the nation's top law enforcement official is asking for a slush fund to pay people who assault cops? Utterly stupid, morally wrong - Take your pick," Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the former majority leader, said in a statement."
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