Attorney general nominee Todd Blanche says Trump ‘slush fund’ is officially dead

Attorney General Nominee Todd Blanche Announces Termination of Anti-Weaponization Fund

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a memo on Sunday evening stating that the anti-weaponization fund proposed by the Trump administration would not proceed. The announcement preceded a scheduled Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Blanche’s confirmation set for Tuesday. Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, both committee members, had pressed for a formal declaration that the fund would be terminated.

The Department of Justice had established the anti-weaponization fund in May as part of a settlement in the case Trump v. Internal Revenue Service. The underlying lawsuit concerned the unauthorized disclosure of tax returns. Under the terms of that settlement, plaintiffs received only a formal apology and no monetary damages. The fund was intended to address claims from individuals the administration said had been subject to actions by prior administrations. The IRS also agreed not to conduct audits of President Trump, his family members, or his companies.

Blanche’s memo stated that the fund would not move forward. “Although the Acting Attorney General has repeatedly advised Congress throughout testimony, including under oath, as well as in written responses that the Fund is not moving forward, and the Department has repeatedly represented to district courts that the fund is not moving forward, today’s order officially rescinds the May 18, 2026 order,” the memo read.

Cornyn reached an agreement with the Department of Justice under which the department would issue a formal order permanently ending the fund and clarifying that the audit settlement applied only to the named plaintiffs and the IRS. Cornyn spokesperson Natalie Yezbick confirmed the arrangement in a statement. Cornyn had questioned Blanche about the IRS settlement during the nominee’s confirmation hearing the previous month.

Tillis, who is retiring at the end of the year, had indicated he would oppose confirmation unless the fund was terminated. As recently as Friday, President Trump had defended the concept of compensation for individuals he described as having been harmed by prior government actions. “They are suffering still, many ruined, and I felt that they should be given compensation for what has been done to them,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “I will always feel that these victims of government abuse should be paid back for what they were forced to endure, their lives have been ruined!”

Tillis responded by stating that despite earlier indications the fund was ended, further steps would be needed to prevent any alternative mechanism from being created. He expressed concern that confirmation of Blanche could be affected unless the matter was resolved before Tuesday.

Blanche previously served as President Trump’s personal attorney before being named deputy attorney general. He assumed the role of acting attorney general after the dismissal of Attorney General Pam Bondi. Senate Republicans have stated their intention to complete the confirmation process before the August recess.