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
Story comments
Loading comments…