Blanche Withdraws Trump’s ‘Anti‑Weaponisation’ Fund Ahead of Senate Confirmation

Sun Sep 06 2026 04:15:12 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The former Trump lawyer abandons the $1.8bn fund plan, clearing the way for his confirmation as the United States attorney general.

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche formally withdrew President Donald Trump's controversial anti‑weaponisation fund, a move that paves the way for his Senate confirmation. The fund, aimed at compensating supporters of the 2021 Capitol riot, sparked concerns about politicians using it for personal gain. After facing opposition from two Republican senators, Blanche signed an order declaring the fund nonexistent and limited IRS protections to the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. The decision brings stability to the nomination process, as the Senate Judiciary Committee prepares to vote on the appointment.

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche has formally withdrawn President Donald Trump’s controversial anti‑weaponisation fund, clearing the path for his Senate confirmation.

The proposed $1.8 bn fund was introduced to settle a lawsuit between Trump and the Internal Revenue Service over leaked tax returns. It would have allowed Trump allies to claim compensation for politically motivated prosecutions, including those related to the 2021 Capitol riot.

Two Republican senators—John Cornyn and Thom Tillis—had opposed the plan, demanding the fund be dismantled and the IRS audit protections be narrowly limited to the named parties in the lawsuit. Blanche responded by issuing an order declaring the fund dead and attaching a memo stating that IRS immunity would only apply to Trump, his two sons, and the Trump Organization.

Following the withdrawal and a federal judge’s blocking order, Columbia’s confirmation process is now smoother, with the Senate Judiciary Committee slated to vote on Blanche’s nomination on Tuesday.