Blanche Nomination Advances After Rescinding Trump's 'Anti-Weaponization Fund'

What Happened

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has garnered sufficient support to advance his nomination through the Senate Judiciary Committee, following an agreement to fully revoke President Trump’s controversial “anti-weaponization fund” and to clarify the specific scope of Mr. Trump’s immunity from prosecution related to past tax malfeasance. This development, occurring on Monday, August 3, 2026, resolves a standoff that had led to the postponement of a committee vote last week. Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who had previously withheld their support, issued a joint statement confirming their satisfaction with Mr. Blanche's written commitments. Their concerns centered on the potential for Mr. Trump to reactivate the fund and the breadth of the immunity granted as part of a $10 billion settlement of the president’s lawsuit against the IRS. Mr. Blanche's May 18 order, which initially established the $1.776 billion fund, has now been formally rescinded, with Mr. Blanche stating it "shall have no force or effect."

What the Evidence Establishes

The evidence establishes that Todd Blanche, acting Attorney General, formally rescinded his May 18 order establishing the $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization fund." This rescission was documented in a memo posted on social media, where Blanche explicitly stated, "This order establishes, beyond any doubt, that there is no fund." He further clarified that no members were ever appointed to the fund and no money was disbursed. Concurrently, the Justice Department issued a statement confirming that the immunity granted as part of the IRS-Trump settlement applies exclusively to "the named parties in the lawsuit," specifically identifying Mr. Trump, his two older sons, the Trump Organization, the IRS, and the Treasury Department. This immunity is also confirmed to be retroactive, addressing senators' concerns about its potential expansion. A federal judge overseeing Mr. Trump’s IRS lawsuit has also ruled the settlement nullified, describing the proceeding as a "sham" due to alleged collusion between the president and his own administration.

Where the Accounts Conflict

While the Washington Times and The Hill report on the factual rescission of the fund and clarification of immunity, the framing of the senators' actions and motivations differs across sources. The Washington Times indicates that Senators Cornyn and Tillis "forced the committee to postpone a vote last week" and were satisfied only after Blanche put his commitments "in writing," suggesting a successful negotiation driven by their concerns. Conversely, an operative Telegram feed, specifically from Eric Daugherty, frames the situation as "RINOS CAVE: Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis have AGREED to vote to confirm Todd Blanche for Attorney General after President Trump made it clear he wasn't backing down." This alternative account suggests the senators capitulated to President Trump's will rather than securing concessions. Another Telegram post from Owen Shroyer refers to the rescission as an "unbelievable slap in the face," implying a negative outcome for Trump's supporters, despite the nomination moving forward. These differing narratives highlight a conflict in interpreting the power dynamics and the ultimate victor in the political maneuvering.

Context and Stakes

The context for this development stems from President Trump's unprecedented $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS, initiated after the leak of his personal tax information by an IRS contractor during his first term. This lawsuit involved a sitting president suing his own administration and then negotiating a settlement with his own Justice Department. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who assumed the role after Pam Bondi's ouster, was central to this process, signing off on the "anti-weaponization fund" and issuing the immunity order. The fund, initially set at $1.776 billion, was intended to compensate "victims" of an allegedly overzealous Biden Justice Department. It drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, who feared its potential for political abuse. The stakes are high for the Attorney General nomination, as the position holds significant power over federal law enforcement and legal policy. The controversy surrounding the fund and immunity deal threatened to derail Blanche's confirmation, underscoring the deep partisan divisions and the ongoing scrutiny of executive power.

What to Watch Next

The immediate next step will be the Senate Judiciary Committee's vote to advance Todd Blanche's nomination. With Senators Cornyn and Tillis publicly stating their support, the nomination is expected to clear the committee. Following this, the full Senate will consider Blanche's confirmation as Attorney General. Observers will also monitor President Trump's public statements and actions. Despite Blanche's rescission of the fund, Trump had previously defended it as recently as Friday, stating that "people deserved the compensation" and even suggesting he would "push hard" to get the weaponization fund written into law. His past comments about keeping Blanche as acting AG until Cornyn and Tillis left office also indicate a potential for future attempts to revive similar initiatives. Furthermore, the federal judge's ruling nullifying the entire settlement of the IRS lawsuit could lead to further legal challenges or appeals from the Trump legal team, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

Bottom Line

Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General has overcome a significant hurdle in the Senate Judiciary Committee by formally rescinding the $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization fund" and providing written assurances regarding the limited, retroactive scope of immunity for President Trump and specific entities involved in his IRS lawsuit. This move satisfied key Republican senators, John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, who had previously blocked the nomination over concerns about the fund's potential revival and the immunity's breadth. While the fund is now officially defunct and the settlement nullified by a federal judge, the underlying political tensions and President Trump's stated desire for such compensation suggest that similar initiatives or legal battles may re-emerge in different forms. The focus now shifts to the committee vote and the subsequent full Senate confirmation process, with the broader implications for the Justice Department's independence and future executive actions remaining a central concern.