Trump's 'Anti-weaponization Fund' Declared 'Dead' Amid Controversy
WHO:
AP News - Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis are blocking Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general until they receive written assurances regarding the fund.
AP News - Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina are blocking Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general.
ABC News - Trump acknowledged the fund is "dead."
NBC News - President Donald Trump defended his proposal for the fund.
NBC News - Todd Blanche's nomination is complicated by the fund's controversy.
WHAT:
AP News - Trump stated that administration officials had “agreed not to have a fund” that compensates his political allies, but he disagrees with that decision.
AP News - Cornyn mentioned that the audits could extend to more than 100 different Trump organization subsidiaries into the future.
AP News - Blanche said at a hearing two months ago that the anti-weaponization fund would not move forward after Republican senators revolted.
AP News - Trump stated that people prosecuted by the Justice Department "are suffering still, many ruined, and I felt that they should be given compensation for what has been done to them."
AP News - The Justice Department provided language stating that Blanche’s May 18 order establishing the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” is “rescinded and shall have no force or effect.”
ABC News - The "Anti-Weaponization Fund" was proposed at $1.8 billion.
NBC News - Trump stated the fund is "dead" during a Cabinet meeting.
NBC News - The fund was intended for January 6 defendants.
WHERE:
NBC News - The Cabinet meeting took place at Camp David.
WHY:
AP News - Cornyn and Tillis want clarifications on a separate piece of the settlement that would grant Trump and members of his family immunity from tax audits.
AP News - Cornyn and Tillis want written assurances that the White House will not reverse course on the fund, which they believe complicates Blanche's nomination.
NBC News - The fund was set up after a settlement with the IRS.
HOW:
AP News - A person familiar with the negotiations stated that talks had been positive, but the senators were still awaiting a new offer from the Justice Department.
AP News - Trump’s legal adviser Boris Epshteyn is being blamed as an obstacle to an agreement that would allow Blanche to move forward with his nomination.
NBC News - Trump expressed his desire for the fund to still exist despite its status.
(UPDATED August 1, 2026 13:23 UTC)
Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis are currently blocking Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general, seeking written assurances regarding a fund that Trump stated he disagrees with, despite administration officials agreeing not to have it. Cornyn also indicated that future audits could potentially extend to over 100 different subsidiaries of the Trump organization, while Blanche previously noted that the anti-weaponization fund would not proceed after Republican senators expressed their discontent. A source familiar with the negotiations mentioned that discussions have been positive, but the senators are still waiting for a new offer from the Justice Department.
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(UPDATED August 1, 2026 01:28 UTC)
Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis from North Carolina are currently blocking Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general, seeking written assurances from the White House regarding the "Anti-Weaponization Fund." Trump has expressed that those prosecuted by the Justice Department deserve compensation for their suffering, while the Justice Department has rescinded Blanche’s order related to the fund. Additionally, Trump's legal adviser Boris Epshteyn is being identified as a key obstacle to reaching an agreement that could facilitate Blanche's nomination.
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(UPDATED July 31, 2026 21:19 UTC)
President Trump acknowledged that the "Anti-Weaponization Fund," which was proposed at $1.8 billion for January 6 defendants, is now "dead" during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David. Despite this, he defended his proposal for the fund and expressed a desire for it to still exist, even as its status complicates Todd Blanche's nomination. The fund was initially set up following a settlement with the IRS, but its controversy has raised significant questions.