Following a week-long standoff between senators and the Trump administration, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Sunday night that the parties had reached a deal and issued an order ‘officially’ rescinding a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund. This development comes as part of a broader settlement agreement stemming from a lawsuit filed by Trump against the IRS, which also shielded the Trump family from tax audits. The fund has been widely criticized, particularly due to potential payouts linked to January 6th rioters.
Blanche wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that his team and legal counsel had met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions. He stated that the agreement involved the immediate reversal of the fund’s terms and the immediate updating of the May 18, 2026 Order establishing the Anti-Weaponization Fund (‘Fund’).
The Order, signed by the Attorney General’s May 18, 2026 Order establishing the Anti-Weaponization Fund (‘Fund’) is rescinded and shall have nor force or effect.
Blanche asserted that there is no fund, stating that the order reads, ‘The Attorney General’s May 18, 2026 Order establishing the Anti-Weaponization Fund (’Fund’) is rescinded and shall have nor force or effect.’
His announcement follows a pushback from key GOP Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who said their support for President Donald Trump’s nomination to have him serve as attorney general in a permanent capacity hinged on the administration’s decision to rescind its plans for the fund. Tillis and Cornyn have both feuded with Trump in the past. Tillis announced he would not seek re-election; Cornyn was unseated by Trump-endorsed GOP primary challenger Ken Paxton. The two senators previously said other members of the upper chamber shared their concerns about the fund, but did not sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee and therefore could not vote for or against Blanche until his nomination came before the full Senate.
Blanche had previously stated in testimony before Congress that the fund was dead, but Trump on Saturday threatened to ‘push hard’ to revive it. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., who sits on the Judiciary Committee, told NBC News’ ‘Meet the Press’ on Sunday that he would exclude January 6 rioters from any legislation that would codify the $1.8 billion fund.
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Source: NBC News
