Newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche has once again stated that the Justice Department's "Anti-Weaponization Fund" will not be revived. Blanche reiterated this position in his first news conference since his narrow confirmation, emphasizing that the fund remains defunct.
Blanche has previously stated under oath and in public testimony that the fund was terminated. He confirmed that he rescinded the order establishing the fund, meaning it no longer exists. However, he noted that if Congress wished to codify such a fund into law, both he and the White House would support that.
Despite the closure of the specific fund, Blanche suggested that the department might explore alternative methods to address the concerns of individuals who claim to be victims of alleged "weaponization" within the Justice Department under the previous administration. President Donald Trump has expressed a strong desire to provide restitution to these individuals, a sentiment echoed by Blanche.
"The president feels very strongly, as do I, that there were people who were victims of a Department of Justice that was absolutely weaponized, and he feels very strongly that that he would want to -- to make them whole, as do I, but it will not be through the Anti-Weaponization Fund," Blanche stated.