/ CBS/AP
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued an order Sunday evening formally rescinding plans to create a $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate allies of President Trump.
The order came after Republican Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn threatened to block Blanche's confirmation for the permanent position to lead the Justice Department.
"The Attorney General's May 18, 2026 Order establishing the Anti-WeaponizationFund ("Fund") is rescinded and shall have no force or effect," the order states.
"For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Order is intended to contradict or otherwise be contrary to prior representations by the Department of Justice that the Fund is not operative. No Members were appointed; no funds were transferred; no process for receiving claims was established; no claims were paid. Nevertheless, several frivolous lawsuits have been filed challenging the Fund, and at least one court has declined to dismiss those claims as moot," it continues. "This Order establishes, beyond any doubt, that there is no Fund."
Tillis and Cornyn have refused to vote for Blanche as the full-time attorney general unless it is put in writing that Mr. Trump will no longer pursue the "anti-weaponization fund," a nearly $1.8 billion fund to pay people who claim they were politically persecuted, which was announced in May as part of a settlement to resolve Mr. Trump's lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department.
The Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Blanche is scheduled for Tuesday.
"My team and I have met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions," Blanche said in a post on X. We have enjoyed good faith discussions, and as a result issue the following order."
This is a developing story. It will be updated.