President Donald Trump has declared his 1.8 billion dollar anti-weaponization fund dead, despite continuing to offer a defense of the project. This announcement comes amid ongoing friction with Republican senators who are blocking the confirmation of his attorney general nominee, Todd Blanche, until the administration provides written confirmation that the fund will not proceed.
Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis have been at the center of these negotiations for weeks. They seek a formal, written guarantee that the fund—originally intended to provide compensation for political allies—is permanently canceled. While Blanche has previously testified that the project would not move forward, the senators remain cautious, noting that the administration has not yet provided the necessary documentation to satisfy their concerns.
Trump stated to reporters at Camp David that administration officials reached an agreement to scrap the fund, though he made his personal disagreement with that decision clear. He continues to argue that individuals prosecuted by the Justice Department, particularly those involved in the January 6 attack on the Capitol, deserve compensation for their treatment. The President also suggested he might pull Blanche's nomination and resubmit it next year if the current impasse persists.
Beyond the fund, the senators are also seeking clarity on parts of an IRS settlement that could impact potential tax audits for the President and his family. The Justice Department has provided language to rescind the original fund order, but the senators require further assurance regarding the scope of the immunity provisions included in the broader settlement. Negotiations between the White House and the Senate Judiciary Committee members are ongoing.