AttorneyGeneral – Blanche Revokes $1.8 Billion Fund Ahead of Key Senate Vote

AttorneyGeneral -Todd Blanche has officially ended a controversial compensation fund that had become the central issue in his Senate confirmation process, marking a significant step ahead of an upcoming committee vote.

The acting US attorney general, Todd Blanche, announced on Sunday that he had formally canceled a proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund following discussions with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and key Republican lawmakers. The decision comes after weeks of negotiations that delayed progress on his nomination for permanent confirmation to the post.

Senate Confirmation Faced Political Roadblocks

Blanche’s nomination encountered resistance from Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Both lawmakers had indicated they would not support advancing his nomination unless the Trump administration permanently abandoned plans for the compensation fund, which had been described as an “anti-weaponization” initiative.

In a statement shared on X, Blanche said he and his team had spent several weeks meeting with senators and committee members to answer questions and resolve concerns surrounding the proposal. According to him, those discussions resulted in an agreement that led to the formal withdrawal of the fund.

Along with his statement, Blanche released a signed order confirming that the attorney general’s directive issued on May 18, 2026, creating the fund had been revoked. The order clearly states that the fund no longer exists and has no legal effect.

Fund Originated From Tax Records Settlement

The proposed compensation program emerged from a settlement involving President Donald Trump and his administration concerning the unlawful disclosure of Trump’s tax records. The agreement had included provisions that critics said would extend broad protections to the president, his family members, and affiliated businesses against future tax audits and certain government claims.

Supporters viewed the settlement as addressing individuals who believed they had been subjected to politically motivated legal actions. However, opponents questioned both its legal foundation and the lack of public accountability surrounding the proposed fund.

Critics Raised Concerns Over Oversight

The proposal attracted criticism from legal experts and political opponents, who argued that it lacked a clearly defined statutory basis and sufficient oversight mechanisms. Some also expressed concern that the fund could potentially benefit individuals with political ties to the administration.

Among the concerns raised was the possibility that people convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol could seek compensation if they claimed they had faced politically motivated prosecutions. Those objections intensified scrutiny of the proposal during Blanche’s confirmation process.

Written Order Addressed Lawmakers’ Demands

Although Blanche had previously indicated that the compensation fund would not move forward, Senators Cornyn and Tillis sought stronger assurances. They requested a formal written order ensuring that the initiative could not be revived in the future and also called for narrower language regarding the tax-related protections included in the earlier settlement.

Sunday’s signed directive appears to satisfy at least one of those requests by explicitly rescinding the previous order and declaring that no compensation fund exists.

Neither Cornyn nor Tillis issued an immediate public response following Blanche’s announcement.

Committee Vote Scheduled This Week

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on Blanche’s nomination on Tuesday. The outcome will determine whether his nomination advances to the full Senate for further consideration.

Earlier in the week, President Donald Trump suggested that, if necessary, he could temporarily withdraw Blanche’s nomination and submit it again after the terms of Senators Cornyn and Tillis conclude in January. Blanche previously served as Trump’s personal attorney before assuming his current role as acting attorney general.