Blanche formally dismantles anti-weaponization fund in deal to advance attorney general nomination

WASHINGTON — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has agreed to formally rescind a proposed $1.78 billion fund for individuals who claim they are victims of government weaponization, reaching a deal with senators in a major step to advance his nomination to lead the Justice Department.

Blanche announced the deal Sunday evening to rescind the so-called "anti-weaponization fund" that has snarled his confirmation in the Senate. The agreement puts in writing that the fund "is rescinded and shall have no force or effect," easing concerns from senators that the fund could be revived at a later date.

"My team and I have met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions," Blanche said in a statement. "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."

The anti-weaponization fund was announced earlier this year as part of a settlement between President Donald Trump and the Department of Justice stemming from the president's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. That settlement resulted in the fund as well as an agreement to shield the president and his family members from audits by the IRS.

The agreement also narrows the scope of the audit provision as Blanche said it would only apply retroactively and would not block audits moving forward.

Blanche previously testified before the Senate that the fund was no longer active, but some Republican senators wanted that to be put in writing. Those demands increased after Trump lamented the dismantling of the fund and said over the weekend he wanted Congress to pass legislation codifying it.

The deal was brokered with two key GOP holdouts, Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of Texas, who threatened to stall Blanche's nomination in the Senate Judiciary Committee until the fund was officially dismantled.

The two issued a joint statement on Monday morning praising the deal and vowing to support his nomination during the committee vote.

"We want to express our gratitude to Mr. Blanche and his staff for working with us on this, and we look forward to voting to advance his nomination out of the Senate Judiciary Committee soon."

The Judiciary Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday morning to vote on advancing Blanche's nomination. A full Senate vote could come as soon as this week.

Still, there are other Republican senators who are still considering whether to support his full nomination. Utah Sen. John Curtis last week told the Deseret News he is undecided on Blanche's candidacy, citing similar concerns about the anti-weaponization fund.

Curtis met with Blanche last week in his Capitol Hill office where the two discussed Utah-specific issues such as public lands and the state's voter rolls. Afterward, Curtis told the Deseret News he is still "not absolutely there" on his nomination.

Blanche's nomination only requires a simple majority vote in the Senate, meaning he can lose up to three Republicans' support before Vice President JD Vance would be needed to break a tie. Because of the prolonged absence of Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., that number drops to two.

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