Acting Attorney General Blanche Faces Congressional Scrutiny Over $1.8 Billion Trump Allies Fund

May 19, 2026

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 19, 2026, about a $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund created through Trump's IRS lawsuit settlement. Blanche refused to rule out payments to January 6 Capitol rioters and stated the fund will be administered by a five-member commission, with Trump having ultimate say over who remains on it. Democrats launched an investigation into Blanche's oversight of the fund.

Anti-Weaponization Fund structure

▪The Anti-Weaponization Fund will be administered by a commission of five individuals who will take in requests and claims and decide on distributions.
▪The Anti-Weaponization Fund announced by the Justice Department totals $1.8 billion.
▪Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that President Trump and his family will not receive proceeds from the Anti-Weaponization Fund.

Commissioner appointment process

▪The Attorney General will name the commissioners for the Anti-Weaponization Fund, with one commissioner selected in consultation with Senate leadership.
▪As of May 19, 2026, the commissioners for the Anti-Weaponization Fund had not been named.

Presidential influence concerns

▪Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 19, 2026.
▪Reports indicate that President Trump will have ultimate say on who remains on the Anti-Weaponization Fund commission.
▪Senator Jack Reed is from Rhode Island.
▪The top lawyer at the Department of Treasury resigned following the announcement of the Anti-Weaponization Fund.
▪Senator Jack Reed stated that President Trump negotiated the Anti-Weaponization Fund essentially with himself, as Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and IRS officials are Trump appointees and Trump is the plaintiff.

Ghislaine Maxwell prison visit

▪Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that President Trump did not send him to interview Ghislaine Maxwell in federal prison.
▪Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche visited Ghislaine Maxwell in federal prison.
▪Ghislaine Maxwell is a convicted child sex offender and Epstein co-conspirator.
▪Every word Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche asked Ghislaine Maxwell during the prison visit was recorded and available for review.

Maxwell prison transfer controversy

▪At Ghislaine Maxwell's new federal prison facility, she has access to her own room, a private shower, pet therapy, special access to staff-only areas, and a service puppy, according to The New York Times.
▪Ghislaine Maxwell was transferred from one low-security federal prison to another low-security federal prison a few days after Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's visit.

Perspective of Democratic Party

▪Senator Jack Reed stated that President Trump negotiated the Anti-Weaponization Fund essentially with himself, as Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and IRS officials are Trump appointees and Trump is the plaintiff.
▪Democrats launched an investigation into Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's oversight of the Anti-Weaponization Fund.