Republican Senators Force Trump Retreat
Republican senators threatened to block Donald Trump’s attorney-general nominee until the Justice Department formally killed a $1.8-billion fund designed to compensate Trump allies, exposing a widening revolt against the president’s personal rule and erratic foreign policy.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche rescinded the proposed “anti-weaponization fund” after Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis made clear that his confirmation was in jeopardy. The retreat marked an unusual and public assertion of Senate power against a president accustomed to near-total loyalty from his party.
The confrontation arrives as Trump’s repeated threats, reversals and contradictory claims over Iran have further damaged confidence in American commitments. Tehran denied that direct talks announced by Trump were underway, while oil markets swung sharply on his latest decision to cancel planned strikes.

