Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the cancellation of a $1.8 billion anti-weaponisation fund late Sunday. The decision effectively resolves weeks of friction between the Trump administration and members of the US Senate regarding the program's oversight and scope.
The fund was initially designed to offer compensation to individuals who claimed they had been unfairly targeted by federal agencies. However, the proposal faced significant pushback due to concerns that its broad eligibility requirements could have potentially allowed payments to individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
This financial initiative originated from a settlement that resolved President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In addition to the now-cancelled fund, that same settlement agreement included provisions that shielded the Trump family from future tax audits.
Explaining the decision on the social media platform X, Blanche stated that he and his team had been engaging with Senators and committee members over the past several weeks to address outstanding questions and concerns. He described the dialogue as a series of good-faith discussions, noting that the Department of Justice values productive engagement with Congress. Following these consultations, Blanche issued the order to terminate the fund and provided an update regarding the broader May IRS settlement.
