Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche Rescinds Controversial ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’ Order

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche has officially rescinded the Justice Department order creating the proposed “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” ending a controversial initiative that had become a major obstacle to his Senate confirmation as attorney general.

The move comes after Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina threatened to block Blanche’s nomination unless the Justice Department formally abandoned the proposal. The senators had argued the fund raised serious legal and ethical concerns.

The proposed $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund was intended to compensate people whom the Trump administration said had been unfairly targeted by the federal government. Critics, however, argued it could function as a political fund benefiting allies of President Donald Trump.

In the rescission order, Blanche stated that the program was never implemented. No board members were appointed, no claims were reviewed, and no payments were issued before the order was withdrawn.

The decision removes one of the biggest obstacles to Blanche’s confirmation, with the Senate Judiciary Committee expected to consider his nomination this week. Despite rescinding the fund, President Donald Trump has continued to express support for the idea of compensating individuals he believes were unfairly prosecuted, though he has acknowledged the fund itself is no longer moving forward.

The controversy surrounding the fund has sparked a broader debate over the role of the Justice Department, political influence, and the limits of executive authority in creating compensation programs tied to legal settlements.

Source: CBS News / Associated Press