John Cornyn: “The Obama administration's strong commitment to the TRA is evident in its actions.”

I think we were very close to resolving our differences in a way that was acceptable to the Department of Justice, but it’s clear that the president decided that was unacceptable.

President Trump needs someone in this role, as well with a strong legal mind, but who also is close enough to him to give him confidential legal advice to tell him hard truths.

That's a convenient excuse, and it happens to be untrue.

There’s nothing we could do to rein in the president when he said he likes the fund and he wishes it still exists, but the fact of the matter [is] it’s dead, and that’s all we could do under these circumstances.