Archive · 3 Aug 2026
Blanche Rescinds $1.8 B Anti‑Weaponization Fund Ahead of Senate Vote
Todd Blanche, the acting U.S. Attorney General, decided to cancel a $1.8 billion fund that could have paid people who were involved in the January 6 Capitol riot.
The fund was part of a settlement between President Trump’s lawyers and the IRS.
Some Republican senators, John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, said they would not support Blanche’s confirmation unless the fund was officially scrapped.
Blanche issued a formal order saying the fund was dead and that no money had ever been paid out.
By doing this, he cleared the way for the Senate to vote on his nomination.
Todd Blanche formally rescinded the $1.8 billion anti‑weaponization fund before the Senate Judiciary Committee vote.
The fund, created under a settlement between Trump’s lawyers and the IRS, could have paid people involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis demanded written assurances that the fund would not be revived, threatening to block Blanche’s confirmation.
Blanche’s order declared the fund “dead” and that no money was ever disbursed or claims processed.
The rescission cleared the way for Republican support of Blanche’s nomination ahead of the committee vote.
- Who
- Todd Blanche, John Cornyn, Thom Tillis
- What
- Rescission of the anti‑weaponization fund
- When
- August 2, 2024
- Where
- United States, Senate Judiciary Committee
- Why
- To secure Blanche’s confirmation and address concerns about potential misuse
- Acting Attorney General
- Todd Blanche
- Fund Amount
- $1.8 billion
- Fund Purpose
- Compensate alleged victims of political weaponization
- Date Rescinded
- August 2, 2024
- Key Senators
- John Cornyn, Thom Tillis
Sources
Trump administration scraps controversial $1.8 bn ‘anti-weaponization fund’ before Senate confirmation vote
Todd Blanche scraps controversial anti-weaponisation fund in bid to revive attorney general nomination
