What Happened
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a formal order late Sunday, August 2, 2026, to terminate President Trump’s $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund.” This action followed weeks of intense negotiations with Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who had explicitly blocked Blanche’s nomination to become the permanent Attorney General. The termination of the fund, which was intended to compensate Trump’s political allies, effectively removed a major hurdle for Blanche’s confirmation. The Senate Judiciary Committee is now scheduled to proceed with a vote on Blanche’s nomination on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, a vote that had been previously postponed due to the senators' demands for a written commitment regarding the fund's cessation. Senator Cornyn's spokeswoman confirmed the agreement, signaling a resolution to the standoff that had stalled a key administration appointment.
The order also clarified and limited the scope of a separate provision within the president’s settlement with the IRS, which had granted broad immunity for Trump and his family members from tax audits. The new agreement specifies that this tax audit immunity applies only retroactively to claims open at the time of the settlement, explicitly not protecting the president from future tax filing examinations. This modification addresses concerns raised by senators regarding potential self-dealing and ensures that future financial activities of the president remain subject to standard IRS scrutiny. Blanche stated the order resulted from “good faith discussions” with committee members and senators, aiming to address all outstanding questions and concerns.
What the Evidence Establishes
The evidence establishes that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche formally rescinded the $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” via a Sunday order, directly addressing demands from Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis. Both The Hill and Washington Times confirm this termination, noting it was a prerequisite for Cornyn and Tillis to support Blanche’s nomination. The Washington Times specifically details that Blanche had previously stated at a June hearing that the fund would not proceed, but the senators required a written, formal order, especially given President Trump’s continued public support for the fund. The Justice Department’s accompanying statement explicitly declared, “This order establishes, beyond any doubt, that there is no Fund,” and confirmed that “No Members were appointed; no funds were transferred; no process for receiving claims was established; no claims were paid” since the fund's initial announcement on May 18, 2026.
Furthermore, the evidence confirms that the order also narrowed the scope of tax audit immunity for President Trump and his family, specifying it applies “only retroactively” to claims open at the time of the settlement, not to future tax filings. This detail, reported by the Washington Times, indicates a significant concession beyond merely terminating the fund. Senator Cornyn, who lost reelection after Trump endorsed his primary opponent, and Senator Tillis, who is retiring in January, were instrumental in leveraging their positions on the Judiciary Committee to secure these concessions. Their actions underscore a bipartisan concern, as the fund had faced
Where the Accounts Conflict
While both The Hill and Washington Times largely align on the core facts of the agreement—Blanche rescinding the fund and the subsequent advancement of his nomination—there are subtle differences in emphasis regarding the primary actor in the 'deal.' The Hill's headline states, 'Cornyn reaches deal with Justice Department to allow Blanche nomination to advance,' placing Senator Cornyn as the central figure in brokering the agreement. This framing suggests Cornyn's direct negotiation with the Justice Department was the driving force behind the resolution. In contrast, the Washington Times reports, 'Blanche rescinds fund for Trump allies after senators threaten to block his attorney general bid,' which emphasizes Acting Attorney General Blanche's action as the direct response to the senators' pressure.
Neither account presents a direct contradiction, but rather a difference in attributing agency. The Hill focuses on the legislative side's success in securing the deal, while the Washington Times highlights the executive branch's responsive action. Both sources agree that weeks of negotiations preceded the formal order and that both Senator Cornyn and Senator Tillis were key figures in blocking the nomination until their demands were met. The Washington Times provides more granular detail on the specific language of Blanche's order and the Justice Department's accompanying statement, including the explicit confirmation that no funds were ever transferred or claims paid, and the specific limitations on the tax audit immunity provision. The Hill's report is more concise, focusing on the political outcome of the deal.
Context and Stakes
The $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” was a contentious initiative proposed by President Trump, intended to compensate political allies who believed they were unfairly prosecuted. This concept drew significant bipartisan outrage, particularly over the possibility that individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol could be eligible for payments. President Trump had consistently expressed support for the fund, even threatening to pull Blanche’s nomination and resubmit it after Cornyn and Tillis left office if the fund was not allowed to proceed. His social media posts, including one on Sunday evening, August 2, 2026, where he stated that Jan. 6 defendants had “their lives destroyed” and deserved “reimbursement for the pain that they suffered,” underscored his commitment to the fund.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s background as Trump’s defense lawyer in criminal cases and his aggressive pursuit of the administration’s agenda since becoming Deputy Attorney General last year, and then Acting Attorney General in April after Pam Bondi’s firing, added layers of scrutiny to his nomination. Senators Cornyn and Tillis, both members of the Judiciary Committee, leveraged their positions effectively. Cornyn, who recently lost his reelection bid after a Trump endorsement of his primary opponent, and Tillis, who is retiring in January, faced less political risk in opposing a Trump-backed nominee, allowing them to push for a formal, written commitment. The stakes for Blanche were high, as his confirmation hinged on satisfying these demands, while for the Justice Department, the resolution avoids a prolonged political battle over a key leadership position.
What to Watch Next
The immediate focus shifts to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s scheduled vote on Todd Blanche’s nomination for Attorney General on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. With Senators Cornyn and Tillis now satisfied with the formal termination of the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” and the clarification of the tax audit immunity, Blanche is expected to secure the necessary votes to advance his nomination out of committee. However, the full Senate confirmation process will still require a majority vote, and while the primary Republican opposition has been addressed, other senators may still raise questions regarding his past actions as Acting Attorney General or his prior representation of President Trump. The speed and margin of his confirmation will indicate the level of lingering political friction.
Beyond the confirmation, observers will monitor President Trump’s reactions. Despite Blanche’s formal order, Trump has consistently expressed strong support for the fund and its beneficiaries. It remains to be seen if he will publicly criticize Blanche’s concession or attempt to find alternative mechanisms to support his allies, especially after Cornyn and Tillis leave office next year. Additionally, the appeal of the judge’s scathing ruling regarding the IRS settlement, which characterized it as an “improper exercise in self-dealing” and criticized Blanche’s involvement, is ongoing. Trump’s attorneys notified a court on Friday, July 31, 2026, of their intent to appeal. The outcome of this legal challenge could further shape the narrative around Blanche’s tenure and the broader administration’s legal strategies.
Bottom Line
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has successfully navigated a significant political obstacle to his confirmation by formally terminating President Trump’s controversial $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund.” This decisive action, formalized in an order on Sunday, August 2, 2026, directly addressed the demands of Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, who had previously blocked his nomination. The agreement also included a crucial clarification limiting the scope of tax audit immunity for President Trump and his family, ensuring it applies only retroactively and not to future filings. This move clears the path for Blanche’s confirmation vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, marking a victory for the senators who prioritized institutional integrity over party loyalty.
The termination of the fund, which had never disbursed any money, removes a source of bipartisan contention and potential legal challenges. While President Trump had publicly advocated for the fund, Blanche’s concession demonstrates a willingness to compromise to secure his permanent position. The resolution underscores the power of individual senators to influence high-level appointments, particularly when their political futures are less dependent on party leadership. The focus now shifts to the final stages of Blanche’s confirmation process and any potential future actions by President Trump regarding the fund or the ongoing legal challenges related to the IRS settlement.
DECLASSIFIED SOURCE: The Hill - News (via Real-time Signal Upgrade)
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