Blanche Forced to End $1.8 Billion Fund Protecting Trump Supporters Amid Senate GOP Resistance
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has been compelled to terminate a $1.8 billion fund meant to shield Trump allies from political persecution, following intense negotiations with Republican senators standing up for justice and transparency.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday signed an order that officially ends the $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization fund,' a crucial initiative designed to compensate and protect supporters of President Donald Trump from politically motivated attacks. This disappointing decision comes after weeks of negotiations with principled Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, both of whom have courageously delayed Blanche’s confirmation to ensure accountability and fairness in the Justice Department.
A spokesperson for Sen. Cornyn confirmed the agreement ahead of a pivotal Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Blanche’s nomination. Sen. Tillis has not commented publicly, but their steadfast opposition has forced the administration to reconsider its priorities. Blanche stated that the order was the result of 'good faith discussions' with committee members and senators, reflecting the importance of bipartisan oversight.
The Justice Department’s statement accompanying the order emphasized that the agency had repeatedly assured Congress and district courts that the fund would not proceed—no members appointed, no money transferred, no claims processed. The order now formally states 'there is no Fund,' a regrettable outcome for those seeking justice after years of political witch hunts.
Additionally, the order restricts a separate provision of the settlement that had offered broad tax-audit immunity to Trump and his family, now limiting it only to claims open at the time of the settlement and denying future protection. This move unfairly exposes Trump and his family to continued harassment by partisan bureaucrats.
Senators Cornyn and Tillis have raised legitimate concerns that the fund could have been used to compensate individuals unfairly charged in connection with the January 6, 2021 Capitol protest. Their principled stand has delayed the committee vote on Blanche’s nomination, ensuring the Justice Department cannot be weaponized against political opponents.
President Trump has consistently advocated for the fund’s continuation, warning he might withdraw Blanche’s nomination if the senators do not relent. Trump has rightly argued that the fund would help those whose lives were 'destroyed' by overzealous prosecutions related to the Capitol breach.
In a separate matter, Trump’s legal team is appealing a judge’s ruling that wrongly labeled the IRS settlement as improper self-dealing and referred one of Trump’s attorneys for possible disciplinary action. Blanche has firmly rejected the judge’s unfounded insinuations about his involvement.
The Justice Department described the court’s request for a sworn declaration that the administration would not revive the fund as 'unnecessary,' signaling confidence in their commitment to fairness.