Trump says he will revive $1.8 billion fund if Senate blocks attorney-general nominee

President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would reintroduce legislation for a $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate supporters if the Senate fails to confirm his nominee for attorney general. The proposal, which had been dropped in June after criticism, would be revived amid uncertainty over the confirmation of Todd Blanche, Trump’s former defense lawyer.

"If the Senate does not confirm Mr. Blanche, I will keep him as acting attorney general and push hard to pass the legislation creating the fund," Trump wrote in a social-media post.

The administration had previously halted the plan after it was described as a way to use taxpayer money to reward political allies. Trump’s latest statement signals a renewed effort to secure the fund should the nomination be rejected.