Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche formally issued an order on Sunday, August 3rd, 2026, terminating former President Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” designed to compensate his political allies. This move follows weeks of negotiations with two Republican senators, including Texas Senator John Cornyn, who had been blocking Blanche’s nomination to become attorney general.

While Blanche had publicly stated multiple times that the fund was no longer active, the Justice Department had previously resisted confirming this in writing, raising concerns among lawmakers that the fund could be revived, especially given Trump’s continued support for it. A spokesperson for Senator Cornyn confirmed the agreement to end the fund. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, the other GOP senator involved, did not immediately comment.

Blanche posted on X (formerly Twitter), “My team and I have met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions. We have enjoyed good faith discussions, and as a result issue the following order.” The order officially rescinds the May 18, 2026 order that had established the fund, stating that Blanche has repeatedly advised Congress under oath and in writing that the fund is not moving forward.

The announcement comes just ahead of a Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Blanche’s nomination, scheduled for Tuesday, August 5th, 2026. Despite the termination of the fund, Trump has expressed that those charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack, who could have benefited from the fund, have had “their lives destroyed.”

Separately, the Guardian has learned that the family of a Haitian immigrant who froze to death in early March 2026 at a bus shelter in Pittsburgh after being dropped off by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing to file a lawsuit against the United States and multiple other entities.

Sources