Blanche Ends Anti-Weaponization Fund Before Senate Confirmation Vote

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche has officially ended the Justice Department's anti-weaponization fund, a move that clears a major hurdle ahead of a key Senate Judiciary Committee vote on his nomination to become the country's next Attorney General.

The decision follows weeks of criticism from Republican lawmakers, who argued that the fund raised legal and political concerns. By rescinding it, Blanche has addressed one of the biggest issues standing in the way of his Senate confirmation.

Blanche signed an order formally eliminating the fund after discussions with Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Both senators had made it clear they would not support his nomination unless the Justice Department withdrew the initiative.

• Todd Blanche ends anti weaponization fund before Senate confirmation vote
• Justice Department rescinds controversial fund amid Republican concerns
• Senate confirmation moves ahead after Blanche withdraws DOJ fund

The anti-weaponization fund was created as part of a legal settlement tied to President Donald Trump's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over the disclosure of his tax records. While the fund was intended to compensate people who believed they had been unfairly targeted by the federal government, it quickly became the subject of political debate.

Lawmakers from both parties questioned whether the fund could benefit Trump's political allies, including some people linked to the January 6 Capitol attack. Others argued that such payments should only be made with congressional approval. Despite the controversy, the fund never became operational. No board members were appointed, no claims were accepted and no money was distributed before Blanche cancelled it.

The agreement with Cornyn and Tillis also addressed concerns over a separate Justice Department directive involving IRS audits of Trump, his family and related businesses. The department clarified that the protection applied only to the terms of the settlement and would not prevent future tax audits where legally allowed.

Senate Vote Back on Track

With the fund now withdrawn, Blanche's confirmation process is expected to move forward with fewer political obstacles. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on his nomination this week, and Republican backing will be crucial for advancing it.

Senator Cornyn said the Justice Department had reached an agreement that resolved his concerns, while Tillis welcomed the decision after receiving additional assurances from department officials. Their support is expected to improve Blanche's chances of securing Senate approval.

President Donald Trump, however, has continued to defend the idea behind the fund. He has argued that people who were unfairly investigated by the federal government deserve compensation and has suggested that a similar program could be pursued through Congress in the future.

Blanche has been serving as acting U.S. Attorney General since April after the dismissal of former Attorney General Pam Bondi. His nomination has drawn close attention because of his previous role as Trump's personal lawyer and the political controversy surrounding the settlement that created the fund.

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With the anti-weaponization fund now officially rescinded, lawmakers are expected to shift their focus to Blanche's experience, leadership plans and priorities for the U.S. Justice Department as the confirmation process enters its final stage.