Acting US Attorney General cancels $1.8B anti-weaponization fund

Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday ordered the termination of a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, ending weeks of sharp disagreement between the Trump administration and US senators. The fund was established under a settlement that resolved President Donald Trump's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, an agreement that also shielded the Trump family from tax audits.

Capitol riot concerns

Intended to compensate individuals claiming unfair targeting by federal agencies, the program drew scrutiny over broad eligibility criteria that senators warned could allow payments to participants in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Critics argued that providing compensation to rioters would misuse taxpayer resources.

Blanche statement

Blanche announced the cancellation on X, stating his team had engaged in consultations with congressional committees. "My team and I have met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions," he wrote. "We have enjoyed good faith discussions, and as a result issue the following order and update with regard to the May IRS settlement," he added.

The May settlement had allocated $1.8 billion to compensate victims of alleged weaponization while halting IRS audits of the former president and his family. Congressional Republicans had backed the fund as part of Trump's campaign against federal agency "weaponization."