Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has formally rescinded a controversial $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" as part of an agreement that clears the way for his Senate confirmation, according to an order issued Sunday.
The move came after weeks of negotiations with Senate Republicans, particularly Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, whose opposition had stalled Blanche's nomination in the judiciary committee. With the fund eliminated and an accompanying IRS settlement narrowed in scope, both senators signaled they were ready to proceed, clearing the way for a committee vote scheduled for Tuesday.
The fund stemmed from a May 18 directive that raised concerns among fiscal conservatives and oversight-focused senators. While the Trump administration framed it as a mechanism to protect citizens from alleged Department of Justice weaponization, the fund's vague parameters made it a liability for Blanche's confirmation prospects.
"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 Sunday statement.
As part of the agreement, protections included in the IRS settlement will apply only retroactively and not to future tax filings. This clarification limits the scope of what many viewed as a sweeping shield against IRS enforcement actions and restores some measure of normal tax enforcement authority to the department.
With the obstacles cleared, the judiciary committee vote is expected to move forward Tuesday. A full Senate vote would likely follow within days if the committee approves.
Blanche's willingness to rescind the fund suggests he understood the political reality that an attorney general cannot serve effectively if a significant bloc of Senate Republicans questions their judgment before confirmation.
