President Donald Trump acknowledged Friday that a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund is dead
, though he continued to defend the concept of the program during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David. The admission comes as the administration struggles to secure the confirmation of Todd Blanche for attorney general, a process currently stalled by a standoff with two Republican senators.
GOP Senators Demand Written Assurances
Republican Senators CNN of Texas and Apnews of North Carolina are withholding the votes necessary to confirm Blanche. Both senators are demanding written guarantees that the fund will not be resurrected. While Blanche testified during a hearing two months ago that the fund would not move forward and the Justice Department has told courts the program was abandoned, officials have previously declined to provide that commitment in writing.
Senator Tillis, who is retiring in January, responded on X that Trump’s comments reaffirmed why written assurances are necessary. The President made it clear today that the so-called Anti Weaponization Fund is still alive, which is exactly why we are attempting to formally end it,
Tillis wrote. He previously described the prospect of the fund compensating individuals who assaulted police officers as absurd
.
Origins and Scope of the Fund
The fund was established via a May 18 settlement agreement between the Internal Revenue Service and Trump’s personal lawyers. Although Trump’s lawsuit against the agency concerned the illegal disclosure of his tax returns by an IRS contractor, the resulting settlement included the $1.8 billion fund to compensate those claiming they were victims of federal government weaponization.
This includes individuals prosecuted by the Justice Department for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump stated in a social media post that those prosecuted are suffering still, many ruined, and I felt that they should be given compensation for what has been done to them.
He further suggested that some who pleaded guilty may have done so under pressure despite being innocent.
Tax Immunity and Legal Disputes
Beyond the fund, Senator Cornyn is seeking clarifications on a separate part of the IRS settlement that grants Trump and his family immunity from tax audits. Cornyn wants Blanche to explicitly acknowledge that this immunity applies only to past tax investigations against the president and those listed in the settled lawsuit. According to reports, Blanche has been placed in a difficult position, as narrowing the scope of this tax addendum could anger the president.
The Justice Department has provided the senators with language stating that the May 18 order establishing the fund is rescinded and shall have no force or effect
, according to a document reviewed by the Associated Press.
Nomination Deadlock and Internal Friction
The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed a scheduled Thursday vote on Blanche’s nomination. Trump has suggested he may temporarily withdraw
Blanche’s nomination and resubmit it after Cornyn and Tillis leave office early next year. Trump also described Blanche as a pawn in this whole thing
and asserted that he should be approved forthwith
.
Internal administration friction has also emerged. Senator Tillis attributed the holdup to an incompetent personal adviser
to the president. Three people with direct knowledge of the discussions identified Trump legal adviser Boris Epshteyn as the obstacle to an agreement that would allow Blanche’s nomination to proceed.
During the Cabinet meeting, Trump claimed that Cornyn’s opposition is fueled by anger over Trump endorsing Cornyn’s primary opponent, Ken Paxton, in Texas. Cornyn has denied this assertion, stating that he is not seeking a different nominee but simply wants the existing deal’s terms put in writing to be enforceable.
