Todd Blanche rescinds $1.8 billion anti‑weaponization fund to clear AG confirmation
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a formal order on August 2, 2026 rescinding the May 18, 2026 order that created a $1.8 billion anti‑weaponization fund. The fund, part of a settlement of President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS, was intended to compensate individuals who claimed they were victims of politically motivated prosecutions and had drawn criticism for potentially rewarding participants in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina had blocked Blanche’s permanent attorney‑general nomination until the fund was cancelled in writing. After weeks of negotiations, Blanche announced the order, which states the fund has no force or effect, that no members were appointed, no money was transferred and no claims were paid. The order also narrows the tax‑audit‑immunity provision of the settlement to apply only retroactively to the parties named in the lawsuit.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on Blanche’s nomination on Tuesday, clearing a major hurdle for his confirmation. President Trump warned that the fund could be reinstated if Blanche is not confirmed.
Entities: Donald Trump · Jim Jordan · John Cornyn · Senate Judiciary Committee · Thom Tillis · Todd Blanche
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 10 SOURCES] The fund was intended to compensate individuals claiming they were victims of federal government weaponization, including potential payouts to Jan 6 rioters. (Department of Justice settlement)
- [● 23 SOURCES] The order states the fund has no force or effect; no members were appointed, no funds transferred, and no claims were paid. (multiple)
- [● 23 SOURCES] The order narrows the tax‑audit‑immunity provision to apply only retroactively to the parties named in the lawsuit. (multiple)
- [● 10 SOURCES] A Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Blanche’s confirmation is scheduled for Tuesday after the rescission. (Senate Judiciary Committee schedule)
- [● 10 SOURCES] The rescission followed negotiations with Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, who threatened to block Blanche’s confirmation. (John Cornyn, Thom Tillis)
- [● 23 SOURCES] The anti‑weaponization fund originated from a settlement of President Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS. (multiple)
- [● 22 SOURCES] President Donald Trump said the fund could be put back on the table if Blanche is not confirmed. (multiple)
- [● 23 SOURCES] Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued an order rescinding the May 18, 2026 order that created a $1.8 billion anti‑weaponization fund. (multiple)
- [● 19 SOURCES] The anti‑weaponization fund was valued at $1.8 billion. (fund amount)
- [● 19 SOURCES] Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a formal order rescinding the May 18, 2026 order that established the $1.8 billion anti‑weaponization fund. (order rescinding fund)
- [● 19 SOURCES] The anti‑weaponization fund was created as part of a settlement of President Donald Trump's lawsuit against the IRS. (origin of fund)
- [● 19 SOURCES] The order states that no members were appointed, no funds were transferred, no claims were paid and the fund has no force or effect. (order details)