Blanche Kills $1.8B Trump Fund to Win GOP Senate Votes for AG Role

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche formally rescinded a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund late Sunday, breaking a Senate deadlock and winning the backing of two key Republican holdouts. Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis had blocked Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general until he provided written proof the fund was dead. The fund, created as part of a May settlement between Trump and the IRS, could have compensated Trump allies and Jan. 6 rioters.

What the fund was and why senators opposed it

The $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund was established in May 2026 as part of a settlement between Trump and the Justice Department to resolve his lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax returns. Critics feared it could pay out to people prosecuted for participating in the January 6 Capitol riot. Cornyn and Tillis demanded written assurances the fund would never be revived, citing concerns that Trump might push to restore it despite his public statements that it was dead.

Blanche’s written order and the deal terms

Blanche posted a signed order on X on Sunday rescinding the May 18, 2026 order that created the fund. The order stated: “This order establishes, beyond any doubt, that there is no fund.” He confirmed that no members were appointed to direct it, no funds were transferred, and no claims were paid. A second Justice Department statement clarified that tax audit protections for Trump, his family, and his companies apply only retroactively to tax returns filed before May 18.

Senate vote moves forward on Tuesday

Cornyn and Tillis released a joint statement Monday saying they “look forward to voting to advance his nomination out of the Senate Judiciary Committee soon.” The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on Blanche’s nomination on Tuesday at 9 a.m. With 12 Republicans and 10 Democrats on the panel, Blanche needs every Republican vote to advance if all Democrats oppose him. He is expected to move to a full Senate floor vote later this week.

Trump’s distance from the decision

Trump told reporters Monday he had not reviewed Blanche’s order. “I didn’t look at it. All I know is that Todd Blanche is great. He’s going to do a great job,” Trump said in the Oval Office. However, Trump continued to defend the fund’s original purpose, saying his political supporters deserved compensation for what he called unfair prosecutions by previous administrations.

Final Thoughts

Blanche’s formal rescission of the fund removes the final obstacle to his Senate confirmation as attorney general. With Cornyn and Tillis now backing him and a committee vote set for Tuesday, his path to confirmation appears clear, though full Senate approval still requires 50 votes among Republicans’ 53-member majority.

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