Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche formally rescinded President Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” on Sunday, ending a controversial initiative intended to compensate political allies. The decision follows weeks of negotiations with two Republican senators whose opposition had threatened Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general.
Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina had been blocking Blanche’s nomination, demanding written confirmation that the fund would not proceed before they would endorse him. A confirmation vote for Blanche’s nomination in the Senate Judiciary Committee was anticipated for Tuesday.
Blanche stated that the order resulted from "good faith discussions" with committee members. "My team and I have met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions," he said in a statement.
The Justice Department confirmed the rescission, noting that "although the Acting Attorney General has repeatedly advised Congress through testimony... that the Fund is not moving forward... today’s Order officially rescinds the May 18, 2026 Order." The department emphasized that "No Members were appointed; no funds were transferred; no process for receiving claims was established; no claims were paid," and that the order ensures "beyond any doubt, that there is no Fund."
The settlement that established the fund also included a provision granting broad immunity to Trump and his family from tax audits. The order issued Sunday clarifies that this immunity applies only retroactively to open claims at the time of the settlement and does not shield future tax filings from scrutiny.
Cornyn and Tillis, both members of the Judiciary Committee, had expressed criticism of the fund. The committee had postponed a vote on Blanche’s nomination the previous Thursday after the two senators indicated they needed further assurances from the administration.
Reports suggested that while the Justice Department appeared willing to reach an agreement on the fund, the White House, particularly Trump himself, had resisted. Cornyn remarked that he and the Department of Justice were "pretty much on the same page," but Trump "wasn’t willing to go along with it."
Trump had publicly supported the fund, stating that individuals facing charges related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, who could have benefited from the fund, "had their lives destroyed." He described the fund as "a reimbursement for the pain that they suffered."
Blanche, who previously served as Trump's defense lawyer, was appointed deputy attorney general last year and later elevated to acting attorney general. He has been seen as pursuing the Trump administration's agenda aggressively.
Last month, a judge criticized the settlement of Trump's lawsuit against the IRS as an improper exercise in self-dealing and referred one of Trump’s attorneys for potential disciplinary action. The judge also questioned Blanche’s involvement, given his prior representation of Trump. Blanche has stated he disagrees with the judge's "insinuations."