Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced late Sunday that he has formally rescinded the May 18 order establishing a $1.8-billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” born of an IRS settlement tied to a lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump. The move comes days before a scheduled Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Blanche’s nomination to serve as attorney general on a permanent basis.
Order rescinded to address senators’ concerns
Blanche posted the signed order on the social platform X, saying his office and committee members had engaged in “good faith discussions” and that the department had answered outstanding questions. Attached to the post was a directive stating plainly that the May order creating the fund is “rescinded and shall have no force or effect.”
“The Attorney General’s May 18, 2026 Order establishing the Anti-Weaponization Fund (‘Fund’) is rescinded and shall have nor force or effect.”
The fund was part of a settlement that resolved litigation the President brought against the Internal Revenue Service. Critics raised alarms that payouts from the fund could be extended to individuals involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot — a concern that proved politically salient for several Senate Republicans whose support Blanche needs.
Senators sought binding assurance
Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) had publicly signalled that their backing of Blanche’s confirmation was contingent on the administration abandoning plans for the fund. Cornyn’s office confirmed an agreement with the Department of Justice; his spokesperson, Natalie Yezbick, said the department will issue a formal order permanently terminating the fund and clarifying that the audit settlement’s scope is limited to the plaintiffs, including the President, and the IRS.
- What Blanche did: Issued an order rescinding the May 18, 2026, directive creating the Anti-Weaponization Fund.
- Why it matters: The fund was tied to an IRS settlement and drew criticism because of possible payouts to participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, events.
- Timing: The announcement arrived two days before Blanche’s scheduled Senate Judiciary Committee vote.
The rescission is framed by the department as a step to resolve outstanding congressional concerns and to ensure clarity about the settlement’s limited scope. In describing the outcome of his meetings with senators, Blanche emphasised the department’s willingness to engage with lawmakers as part of the process.
Confirmation implications and broader context
Blanche’s action reduces an immediate hurdle to his confirmation by addressing the specific policy objection raised by notable Republican senators. It also underlines the leverage that committee and swing senators can exert during the confirmation process — shaping departmental policy before a nominee is formally approved.
Observers will watch whether the formal rescission satisfies other members of the Judiciary Committee and whether it alters the dynamics of the committee vote scheduled in the coming days. The department’s move establishes, in a binding written document, that the contested fund will not exist in the form critics feared and that the settlement’s reach is confined to the parties named in the agreement.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fund name | Anti-Weaponization Fund |
| Amount | $1.8 billion |
| Related to | IRS settlement resolving lawsuit by the President |
| Potential contentious beneficiaries | Individuals connected to Jan. 6, 2021 |
For Blanche, the department’s written rescission aims to remove ambiguity and secure key Republican votes. For senators who demanded the change, it represents a demonstrated outcome from oversight and negotiation. The next phase will be the committee vote, which will determine whether Blanche advances toward full Senate consideration.
