Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche formally rescinded President Trump's controversial $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" on August 3, ending a standoff with two key Republican senators that had threatened to derail his nomination to lead the Justice Department permanently.

The fund, established by Trump's executive order in May 2026, was designed to compensate political allies whom the administration claimed were targeted by federal law enforcement, including January 6 defendants and individuals investigated during the Biden administration. The initiative sparked immediate concerns among Senate Republicans about the politicization of the Justice Department and the potential misuse of taxpayer dollars for partisan purposes.

Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina became the faces of Republican resistance to the nomination, delaying the Senate Judiciary Committee vote scheduled for July 29 over concerns that Blanche had refused to formally commit to eliminating the fund. The two senators demanded written assurances that went beyond verbal promises Blanche had made during his confirmation hearing on July 15.

The Deal That Broke the Stalemate

Late Sunday evening on August 3, Blanche issued a formal order rescinding the fund, stating that the Attorney General's May 18 order "is rescinded and shall have no force or effect." The move came after intense negotiations with Cornyn and Tillis, who had specifically raised concerns about the fund's lack of congressional oversight and its potential to reward individuals convicted of crimes.

Following Blanche's announcement, both senators released a joint statement confirming they would vote to advance the nomination out of committee. "We appreciate Acting Attorney General Blanche's willingness to work with us to address our concerns about the proper role of the Department of Justice," the statement read.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-10 on Tuesday, August 4, to advance Blanche's nomination to the full Senate floor. The vote proceeded along party lines, with all Republicans supporting advancement after the fund controversy was resolved.

Collins and Murkowski Break Ranks

Despite the resolution with Cornyn and Tillis, two moderate Republican senators—Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska—announced they would vote against Blanche's confirmation when it reached the full Senate. Collins argued in a statement that the Justice Department had become "too political" under Blanche's leadership as acting attorney general, while Murkowski expressed concerns about the department's independence.

The full Senate ultimately confirmed Blanche in a 50-49 vote, with the two Republican defections insufficient to block the nomination. All Democrats voted against confirmation, citing concerns about Blanche's close personal relationship with Trump—he previously served as Trump's defense attorney in multiple criminal cases—and his record of implementing politically charged directives during his tenure as acting attorney general.

Conservative Reaction Split

The confirmation battle exposed divisions within the Republican caucus over executive power and Justice Department independence. Conservative allies of Trump criticized Cornyn and Tillis for their initial resistance, with some MAGA-aligned voices labeling them "RINOs" (Republicans In Name Only) for demanding the fund's elimination.

However, other conservative legal scholars defended the senators' concerns. "The anti-weaponization fund represented an unprecedented use of Justice Department resources for political purposes," said one former federal prosecutor who advised Senate Republicans during the confirmation process. "Cornyn and Tillis did the institution a favor by forcing its termination."

Blanche's confirmation marks the end of a seven-month period during which he served as acting attorney general following the controversial resignation of his predecessor. He becomes the first attorney general in modern history to have previously served as criminal defense counsel for the president who nominated him, a fact that Democratic senators repeatedly highlighted during confirmation proceedings.

The Justice Department declined to provide details about how much of the $1.8 billion fund had already been distributed before its termination, citing ongoing internal reviews.