Todd Blanche Scraps Trump’s $1.8B ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Fund Days Before Senate Vote

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche formally rescinded the Justice Department’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund late Sunday after reaching an agreement with Republican senators who had withheld support for his nomination.

The fund, which emerged from a settlement tied to President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS, drew criticism because payments could have extended to participants in the January 6 Capitol riot.

Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) had made clear they would not back Blanche’s confirmation unless the administration abandoned the fund.

Blanche announced Sunday that he had signed an order eliminating the fund following weeks of negotiations with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is scheduled to vote on advancing his nomination to serve as attorney general permanently on Tuesday.

“My team and I have met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions,” Blanche wrote on X. “We have enjoyed good faith discussions, and as a result issue the following order and update with regard to the May IRS settlement. The Department always welcomes and appreciates productive engagement with all members of Congress.”

The signed order accompanying the post states that the attorney general’s May directive creating the fund “is rescinded and shall have no force or effect,” adding: “This order establishes, beyond any doubt, that there is no fund.”

The move removes a major obstacle just days before a pivotal Senate committee vote, but comes after Trump vowed he would “push hard” to revive the fund, despite Blanche previously telling Congress it was effectively defunct.

Sunday’s order also narrows another disputed element of the IRS settlement involving tax audit protections for Trump and his family.

Under the revised language, the agreement applies only to claims that were already open when the settlement was reached and does not prevent future examinations of the president’s tax filings.

Watch above via CNN.

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