President Donald Trump has continued to defend the controversial $1.8 billion "slush fund," even as it threatens to derail the confirmation process for Todd Blanche, his former personal lawyer who is nominated for US Attorney General. [1] In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared that Blanche should be immediately approved by the Senate, despite opposition from outgoing Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis. The fund has been proposed as part of efforts to "weaponize" the Justice Department, which has led to its suspension but now appears set for revival. [2] Al Jazeera reported on August 1 that Trump pledged to pursue the fund if Blanche's nomination is not approved by the Senate committee. [3]