Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a formal order on Sunday, rescinding a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund. The move follows a weekslong standoff with Republican senators who threatened to block Blanche’s permanent confirmation to the Justice Department unless the fund was terminated in writing.
The decision ends a volatile period of negotiations between the Trump administration and key GOP lawmakers. While Blanche had previously told Congress the fund was dead, officials had declined to put that commitment in writing until now. The new order explicitly states that the May 18, 2026, directive establishing the fund is rescinded and shall have no force or effect.
The $1.8 Billion Fund and the January 6 Conflict
The anti-weaponization fund originated from a settlement in a lawsuit President Donald Trump filed against the IRS and Treasury Department. It was designed to provide taxpayer money to individuals who claimed they were victims of federal weaponization. However, the proposal sparked bipartisan outrage because the payouts could have extended to participants in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.
This specific possibility became a primary sticking point for Senate Republicans. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., told NBC News on Sunday that he would exclude January 6 rioters from any future legislation that might codify the fund. The Justice Department’s Sunday order clarifies that the fund never actually launched: no members were appointed, no funds were transferred, and no claims were paid.
“This order establishes, beyond any doubt, that there is no Fund.”
Justice Department Order, via CBS News
For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Order is intended to contradict or otherwise be contrary to prior representations by the Department of Justice that the Fund is not operative. No Members were appointed; no funds were transferred; no process for receiving claims was established; no claims were paid. Nevertheless, several frivolous lawsuits have been filed challenging the Fund, and at least one court has declined to dismiss those claims as moot. The
Cornyn and Tillis Leverage Confirmation Votes
The rescission was the direct result of pressure from Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee made their support for Blanche’s permanent nomination conditional on the administration canceling the fund in writing.
Beyond the $1.8 billion fund, Cornyn pushed for a limitation on a separate provision of the IRS settlement that granted the Trump family immunity from tax audits. The Sunday order clarifies that this immunity applies only retroactively to claims open at the time of the settlement and does not protect the president from examinations of future tax filings.
Trump’s Resistance and the Path to Tuesday’s Vote
Throughout the negotiations, President Trump remained a vocal supporter of the fund, creating a difficult position for Blanche.
The resolution of this conflict clears the way for the Senate Judiciary Committee, which had postponed a vote on Blanche’s nomination last Thursday. A confirmation vote is now scheduled for Tuesday. A spokeswoman for Sen. John Cornyn confirmed the deal ahead of this Tuesday vote.
While he has aggressively pursued the administration’s agenda, his permanent status now hinges on whether this written guarantee is sufficient to satisfy the remaining holdout senators.
During a June hearing, Blanche stated that the Justice Department would not move forward with the fund to compensate those who believe they were unfairly prosecuted. Additionally, during a testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Democrats questioned Blanche on the anti-weaponization fund, and President Trump’s settlement with the IRS.
Blanche was also questioned by Sen. John Kennedy regarding his relationship with the president. When asked, Are you and President Trump friends?
Blanche replied: “I’m his lawyer — was his lawyer, and now I’m the deputy attorney general. So, I met him as his criminal defense attorney. I’m not sure there’s very many people who have ever had a criminal defense attorney who calls that person their friend.”
My team and I have met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions. We have enjoyed good faith discussions, and as a result issue the following order and update with regard to the May IRS settlement. The Department always welcomes and appreciates productive engagement with all members of Congress. Following
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