Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has secured the backing of two key Republican senators after formally terminating the Department of Justice’s controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund,”. This move removes a major obstacle to his nomination for U.S. Attorney General.
The decision prompted Senators John Cornyn (Texas) and Thom Tillis (North Carolina) to announce they would support advancing Blanche’s nomination through the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Justice Department Formally Ends Fund
Late Sunday, Blanche issued a formal order rescinding the anti-weaponization fund, stating that the program would not move forward.
According to Blanche:
- No officials were appointed to administer the fund.
- No federal money was transferred.
- No claims were processed or paid.
- The program has been permanently terminated through a written order.
The announcement formalized assurances Blanche previously provided during his Senate confirmation hearing.
GOP Holdouts Signal Support
Cornyn and Tillis had requested written guarantees that the fund had been eliminated before agreeing to support Blanche’s confirmation.
Following the Justice Department’s announcement, both senators issued a joint statement welcoming the decision.
They also confirmed they had received written clarification regarding a separate IRS settlement. This settlement had raised concerns among several Republican lawmakers.
The senators said the Department acknowledged that audit protections contained in the settlement apply only to the parties involved in the original agreement. They stated these protections do not extend broadly to others.
Background on the Controversy
The anti-weaponization fund originated as part of a settlement. This settlement resolved litigation between President Donald Trump and the Internal Revenue Service over the disclosure of his tax returns.
The proposed fund drew criticism because it was designed to potentially compensate individuals who claimed they had been unfairly targeted by the federal government. This included some Trump allies and participants connected to the January 6 Capitol events.
Several Republican senators expressed concern that the proposal could become a political liability ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
Confirmation Process Moves Forward
The Senate Judiciary Committee had postponed its scheduled vote on Blanche’s nomination while negotiations over the fund continued.
With Cornyn and Tillis now signaling their support, Blanche appears to have cleared one of the most significant hurdles facing his confirmation.
However, some Republican senators have not yet publicly committed to supporting the nomination. Among them is Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who has indicated she continues reviewing Blanche’s qualifications and previous service as President Trump’s personal attorney.
Questions Remain
Although the fund has now been formally rescinded, some legal experts note that a future Justice Department could theoretically create a similar program. This could be done through a new administrative order.
For now, the Justice Department maintains that the program has been permanently terminated. In addition, the IRS settlement remains narrowly limited to the original parties involved.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on Blanche’s nomination in the coming days. This could potentially move his confirmation to the full Senate for consideration.
