Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced a deal with Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, resolving a weekslong standoff that had blocked his confirmation to Attorney General. The agreement centered on two key concessions related to a May settlement: Blanche formally rescinded the controversial $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund and clarified the scope of tax audit immunity for the President and his family.
The signed order from Blanche explicitly states that the May 18, 2026, order establishing the anti-weaponization fund is "rescinded and shall have no force or effect," establishing "beyond any doubt, that there is no fund." This fund had drawn bipartisan outrage, particularly over concerns it could be used to compensate January 6 defendants. Senator Cornyn's spokesperson, Natalie Yezbick, confirmed the deal, stating the Department of Justice would issue a formal order permanently terminating the fund.
Additionally, the deal clarified that the tax audit immunity agreement, which arose from the President's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS, "applies by its terms only retroactively" to claims open at the time of the settlement. This provision ensures it does not protect the President from examination of future tax filings or provide broad immunity indefinitely. This clarification addresses concerns raised by the senators about the potential for blanket immunity.
The resolution clears the path for Blanche's nomination to be advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, with a vote scheduled for Tuesday. The committee had previously postponed a vote due to the senators' concerns. Senator Tillis, who had previously indicated he would block Blanche's nomination, expressed that he now hopes for a resolution. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley are keen to secure Blanche's confirmation before the Senate's five-week recess.
