Acting AG Todd Blanche reaches deal with holdout senators to end $1.8B ‘anti-weaponization’ fund

After a weekslong standoff between senators and the Trump administration, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Sunday night that the parties had reached a deal and that had he issued an order “officially” rescinding a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund. “My team and I have met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions,” Blanche wrote on X. “We have enjoyed good faith discussions, and as a result issue the following order and update with regard to the May IRS settlement. The Department always welcomes and appreciates productive engagement with all members of Congress.” Attached to his post was a signed order that said, “The Attorney General’s May 18, 2026 Order establishing the Anti-Weaponization Fund (‘Fund’) is rescinded and shall have nor force or effect.” “This order establishes, beyond any doubt, that there is no fund,” the order read. Blanche’s announcement comes two days before the Senate Judiciary Committee is set to vote his nomination to be attorney general in a permanent capacity. The fund was part of a settlement agreement that stemmed from a lawsuit President Donald Trump filed against the IRS, which also shielded the Trump family from tax audits. The fund has been criticized in part because the payouts could extend to participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Blanche faced pushback from key GOP Sens. John Cornyn, of Texas, and Thom Tillis, of North Carolina, who said their support for him hinged on the administration’s rescinding its plans for the fund. Tillis and Cornyn have 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 senators shared their concerns about the fund but did not sit on the Judiciary Committee and therefore could not vote for or against Blanche until his nomination came before the full Senate. Blanche had testified before Congress that the fund was dead, but Trump threatened Saturday to “push hard” to revive it. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., who is on the Judiciary Committee, told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday that he would exclude Jan. 6 rioters from any legislation that would codify the $1.8 billion fund.