Acting AG Todd Blanche Reaches Deal, Scraps $1.8B Anti-Weaponization Fund

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Sunday night that he reached a formal deal with key Senate holdouts to scrap a contested $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund. Blanche posted a signed order on social media confirming that the previous May order establishing the fund has been fully rescinded and carries no legal force.

The standoff involved Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who conditioned their support for Blanche's permanent nomination on the termination of the fund. The settlement originated from a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump against the IRS, which previously drew heavy criticism because payouts could potentially reach participants of the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

"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 while sharing the signed Department of Justice order.

Political analysts observed that securing the agreement was a critical hurdle for the administration ahead of the Senate Judiciary Committee vote. With the concessions secured, Cornyn and Tillis confirmed they will advance Blanche's nomination.

The newly released DOJ document also restricts a related tax audit settlement provision, clarifying that immunity applies only retroactively to past claims rather than protecting future presidential tax filings.