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Blanche drops 'anti-weaponization' fund after GOP senators threaten AG bid

By
FOX Local
Politics
Published August 3, 2026 7:43 AM MST
Published August 3, 2026 7:43 AM MST
article

FILE-Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appears at his confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill July 15, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The Brief 

    • Todd Blanche terminated President Donald Trump’s "anti-weaponization fund."
    • The acting attorney general issued a formal order over the weekend.
    • Blanche made the move in part following two Republican senators blocking Blanche’s nomination to become permanent attorney general.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche released a formal order eliminating President Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" to pay his political supporters.

Blanche’s action comes after two Republican senators, Texas Sen. John Cornyn and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, blocked his nomination to become attorney general. 

News of the order comes ahead of a Tuesday confirmation vote for Blanche’s nomination in the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

RELATED: Trump says he'll restore Anti-Weaponization Fund if GOP holdouts reject Blanche

In a June hearing, Blanche said that the Department of Justice would not move forward with the fund to compensate those who believe they were unfairly prosecuted, as Blanche faced bipartisan criticism over the potential that violent rioters who assaulted police officers at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, may be considered for payments, The Associated Press reported. 

Cornyn and Tillis told the AP that they wanted to see the promise in writing before they endorsed Blanche's nomination.

The AP obtained a statement from Blanche that said the order came after "good faith discussions."

"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.

Justice Department order says the 'anti-weaponization' fund not moving forward

What they're saying:

In a statement accompanying the Blanche’s order, which was obtained by The Associated Press, the Justice Department said that "although the Acting Attorney General has repeatedly advised Congress through testimony, including under oath, as well as in written responses, that the Fund is not moving forward, and the Department has repeatedly represented to district courts that the Fund is not moving forward, today’s Order officially rescinds the May 18, 2026, Order."

RELATED: DOJ halts Trump’s $1.8B ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’ following court order

Blanche, who served as Trump’s defense lawyer in his criminal cases, entered the Justice Department in 2025 as deputy attorney general. 

He was elevated to acting attorney general after Pam Bondi was fired in April by Trump, who was frustrated by her failure to successfully prosecute his political adversaries.

Blanche had moved to push the Trump administration’s agenda and expedite investigations into Trump’s alleged foes.

The Source: Information for this story was provided by The Associated Press, which obtained a statement from the Department of Justice and Todd Blanche about the "anti-weaponization" fund. This story was reported from Washington, D.C. 


 

PoliticsDonald J. TrumpU.S.News