Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has formally withdrawn President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion anti‑weaponisation fund, clearing the way for Senate confirmation.
The plan had been intended to compensate Trump supporters whom some allege were politically motivated prosecutions after the 6 January 2021 Capitol riot. Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis initially stalled Blanche’s nomination because of concerns that the fund could pay “punks” and preserve a broad IRS audit immunity for the president and his family.
Blanche announced the withdrawal on X, attaching a signed order that reads: “This Order establishes, beyond any doubt, that there is no Fund.” He also released a memo saying the IRS immunity would be limited only to the named parties in the lawsuit – Trump, his sons Donald Jr. and Eric, and the Trump Organization.
After backlash and a federal judge blocking the fund over ethical issues, a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing is scheduled to vote on Blanche’s confirmation. With the fund scrapped, the Republican holdout’s primary concern has been addressed, but political tensions surrounding the nomination remain.
