Todd Blanche terminated Trump's anti-weaponization fund in writing — after reaching deal with senators ahead of AG confirmation vote

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche officially terminated Donald Trump's controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” on Sunday, following extensive negotiations with Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, who had stalled his confirmation. The fund was intended to compensate Trump allies for what they claimed were politically motivated prosecutions, particularly related to the January 6 Capitol riot.¹²⁹¹⁰

Blanche's formal order clarifies that there is “no Fund”, addressing concerns from the two senators who required written confirmation rather than verbal assurances. In a post on X, Blanche stated, “My team and I have met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions.” This agreement paves the way for his confirmation vote scheduled for Tuesday.³⁴

The fund, announced earlier this year, aimed to settle a lawsuit against the IRS regarding the leak of Trump's tax returns. It would have allowed Trump allies to claim compensation for alleged politically motivated prosecutions. However, it faced backlash from both Democrats and some Republicans, who feared it could lead to payments for individuals convicted of crimes related to the Capitol riot.⁷⁸

A federal judge had also blocked the fund, citing ethical concerns. Following this, Blanche abandoned the plan, which had become a significant hurdle in his confirmation process. A spokesperson for Cornyn confirmed the agreement, while Tillis expressed ongoing concerns about Trump's intentions regarding the fund.

Blanche's termination of the fund marks a critical step in his path to becoming the permanent attorney general, as the Senate judiciary committee prepares for a vote on his nomination.