Cornyn reaches deal on ‘anti-weaponization fund’ to allow Blanche nomination to advance
by Alexander Bolton - 08/03/26 6:11 AM ET
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) has reached a deal with the Justice Department to end the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund for President Trump’s allies, paving the way for Cornyn to vote to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination to serve as attorney general.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on Blanche’s nomination on Tuesday and Cornyn and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), two members of the panel, were threatening to vote “no” because the administration wouldn’t agree to clarify a settlement with Trump to permanently end the proposed $1.8 billion fund.
“Sen. Cornyn has reached an agreement with the Department of Justice, which will be issuing a formal order permanently terminating the anti-weaponization fund and making clear in a binding written document that the scope of the audit settlement is limited to only the plaintiffs, including the President, and the IRS,” said Cornyn spokesperson Natalie Yezbick.
Blanche posted a signed memo to his social media account late Sunday night formally rescinding the fund as well as an unsigned statement from the Justice Department clarifying the terms of a settlement with Trump and his family granting them immunity from audits related to past tax returns.
“Although the Acting Attorney General has repeatedly advised that the Fund is not moving forward, and the Department has repeatedly represented to district courts that the Fund is not moving forward, today’s Order officially rescinds the May 18, 2026 Order,” the Justice Department said, referring to the order that established the fund earlier this year.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has scheduled an executive business meeting of the panel at 9 a.m. EDT Tuesday to vote on Blanche.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/6005040-justice-dept-ends-anti-weaponization-fund/
