Todd Blanche formally rescinds Trump's 'anti-weaponization' fund - UPI.com

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced late Sunday that he had formally rescinded an order establishing the Anti-Weaponization Fund, an action tied to his nomination to lead the Justice Department.

"The attorney general's May 18, 2026, order establishing the Anti-Weaponization Fund is rescinded and shall have no force or effect," the order published by Blanche on social media stated.

The Senate Judiciary Committee had been scheduled to vote Thursday on advancing Blanche's nomination to the full Senate. Republicans postponed the meeting after it became clear they lacked sufficient support, with opposition from Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina over the $1.776 billion fund.

On Saturday, President Donald Trump criticized the two senators and stated he would ask Congress to appropriate the $1.776 billion for the fund. "It will immediately be back on the table, and I will get it done," Trump posted online.

Tillis responded that the statement showed Trump planned to revive the fund either through another administrative action or by seeking congressional approval for legislation opposed by a majority of Senate Republicans. Tillis added that Blanche, whom he viewed as qualified, would not be confirmed because of the reversal.

The impact of Blanche's announcement on any separate congressional effort remained unclear at the time of reporting.

The fund originated from a settlement reached by Trump's lawyers with the Internal Revenue Service to resolve a $10 billion lawsuit filed by Trump and his two oldest sons. The suit sought damages related to the actions of a contractor later convicted and imprisoned for leaking tax returns from 2019 and 2020 to news organizations.

Although Blanche had previously described the fund as inactive and federal prosecutors had informed courts it was no longer part of the settlement, Cornyn and Tillis had requested written confirmation that the fund would not be reinstated.

Neither Cornyn nor Tillis had issued public statements on the Sunday order by the time of publication.

Blanche said in a statement that his team had met with committee members and senators over several weeks to address concerns. "We have enjoyed good faith discussions, and as a result issue the following order and update with regard to the May IRS settlement," he said. "The department always welcomes and appreciates productive engagement with all members of congress."

Trump has stated that the previous administration under President Joe Biden engaged in selective enforcement through the Justice Department. The proposed fund was described as a mechanism to provide compensation from taxpayer funds to individuals who asserted they had faced similar treatment, including some convicted in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, events at the Capitol. Trump issued pardons to more than 1,500 individuals convicted in those cases on his first day back in office.

The fund had drawn criticism from Democrats and from some Republicans. Its status had created uncertainty, as Trump had indicated it remained under consideration and had criticized the Republican senators who opposed Blanche's nomination on that basis.

Blanche, who previously served as Trump's personal lawyer, issued the rescission order as part of efforts to address objections raised during the confirmation process. The original May 18 order had directed the establishment of the fund through the Justice Department. The settlement that included the fund provision addressed claims stemming from the unauthorized disclosure of tax information by the convicted contractor.

Senate Republicans had sought explicit assurances in writing before proceeding with the nomination vote. The postponement of the committee meeting reflected the need to resolve those objections prior to any full Senate consideration.