Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has formally rescinded the controversial $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" and narrowed the scope of Donald Trump's IRS tax audit immunity to retroactive claims only. The written concessions successfully won over holdout Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, clearing the way for the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote on Blanche's permanent confirmation on August 4, 2026, despite ongoing concerns from critics that the fund could still be legally revived.
Todd Blanche attorney general confirmation
- ▪Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche moved closer to Senate confirmation after issuing a formal order on August 2, 2026, to rescind the proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund.
- ▪Todd Blanche has served as acting attorney general since April 2026, when President Donald Trump fired Pam Bondi from the position.
- ▪The Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled a vote on Todd Blanche's nomination for Tuesday, August 4, 2026, after previously postponing it due to concerns over the settlement fund.
Anti-weaponization fund rescission
- ▪The Anti-Weaponization Fund was never operational, as no members were appointed, no funds were transferred, and no claims were paid.
- ▪The $1.8 billion fund was originally created as part of a settlement to resolve a $10 billion lawsuit Donald Trump filed against the IRS over the unauthorized disclosure of his tax returns.
- ▪Todd Blanche's August 2, 2026, order formally rescinded the May 18, 2026, order that established the $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund.
Trump tax audit immunity settlement
- ▪Todd Blanche's Sunday order clarified that the tax audit immunity agreement applies only retroactively to claims open at the time of the settlement and does not protect Donald Trump from future tax audits.
- ▪The clarified tax audit immunity agreement is limited strictly to the named plaintiffs in the lawsuit: Donald Trump, his two oldest sons, and the Trump Organization.
Senate Republican opposition negotiations
- ▪Donald Trump threatened on Truth Social to keep Todd Blanche as acting attorney general and push Congress to pass an anti-weaponization bill if the senators blocked the confirmation.
- ▪Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis announced on August 3, 2026, that they would vote to advance Todd Blanche's nomination after securing written commitments on the fund and tax immunity.
Fund legal revival concerns
- ▪Former Justice Department lawyer Rupa Bhattacharyya stated that Todd Blanche's unilateral rescission does not legally prevent the anti-weaponization fund from being revived in the future.
- ▪Lawyers for plaintiffs in an active lawsuit against the fund sent a letter to the Justice Department seeking confirmation that the fund cannot be revived, noting Donald Trump's weekend remarks.
Story comments
Loading comments…