Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has formally ordered the termination of President Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund,” which was intended to compensate Trump’s political allies. This order follows negotiations with two Republican senators who had been blocking Blanche’s nomination for attorney general.
A spokeswoman for Texas Senator John Cornyn confirmed the deal ahead of Blanche’s confirmation vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis did not comment immediately.
During a June hearing, Blanche stated that the fund would not proceed due to bipartisan outrage over concerns that payouts might include violent rioters from the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Cornyn and Tillis, both Judiciary panel members, sought written confirmation of this before endorsing Blanche’s nomination.
“My team and I have met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions,” Blanche said in a statement, describing the order as the result of “good faith discussions.”
The Department of Justice issued a statement accompanying the order, noting that although Blanche had informed Congress and district courts that the fund was not moving forward, the new order officially rescinds a prior order from May 18, 2026. The statement emphasized that “no Members were appointed; no funds were transferred; no process for receiving claims was established; no claims were paid.”
Additionally, the order clarifies limitations on another settlement provision granting broad immunity for Trump and his family from tax audits. This immunity applies only retroactively to existing claims at the time of the settlement and does not protect the president from future tax examinations.
Cornyn, who lost reelection this year after Trump endorsed another candidate, and Tillis, retiring in January, have blocked Blanche’s nomination alongside GOP colleagues who criticized the fund.
The Judiciary Committee’s vote was postponed after Cornyn and Tillis requested more information from the administration. While they noted the Justice Department showed interest in reaching an agreement, the White House did not cooperate, even to aid the confirmation of Trump’s loyal former attorney Blanche.
Cornyn commented, “I think as far as Blanche and the Department of Justice, we were pretty much on the same page. But then when the president got wind of it, he wasn’t willing to go along with it.”
Blanche assumed the top DOJ position after Pam Bondi’s dismissal by Trump in April. Although Blanche claimed he wasn’t pursuing the permanent role, he actively promoted Trump’s agenda and accelerated investigations against those perceived as enemies.
Trump continues to support the now-terminated fund, stating it was meant to compensate individuals affected by charges from the Capitol riot. In a social media post, Trump indicated a potential reconsideration of Blanche’s nomination after Cornyn and Tillis exit office.
Trump’s attorneys announced their intention to appeal a ruling characterizing the settlement with the IRS as self-dealing. This ruling included a referral for potential disciplinary action against one of Trump’s attorneys. Blanche disagreed with the judge’s implications.
The Justice Department previously indicated the fund was not progressing but deemed a court’s request for officials to declare this under penalty of perjury as unnecessary.
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