WASHINGTON — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Sunday that the Justice Department has officially rescinded a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, ending a weeks-long dispute with a group of Republican senators that had threatened to delay his nomination process.
The agreement clears a significant hurdle ahead of a Senate Judiciary Committee vote scheduled for Tuesday, when lawmakers are expected to consider advancing Blanche’s nomination.
In a statement posted on X, Blanche said the Justice Department and members of Congress had engaged in extensive discussions to resolve concerns surrounding the controversial fund, which stemmed from a May settlement involving the Internal Revenue Service.
“My team and I have met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions,” Blanche wrote. “We have enjoyed good faith discussions, and as a result issue the following order and update with regard to the May IRS settlement. The Department always welcomes and appreciates productive engagement with all members of Congress.”
As part of the agreement, Blanche said he had signed an order formally eliminating the $1.8 billion fund, a move that appeared to satisfy senators who had questioned both its legality and its intended use.
The fund had drawn criticism from several Republican lawmakers, who argued that it lacked sufficient congressional oversight and raised concerns about how the money could be allocated. Critics described the initiative as an example of executive overreach, while supporters maintained it was intended to strengthen efforts aimed at preventing what they viewed as the political misuse of federal law enforcement agencies.
Although Blanche did not provide additional details about the specific negotiations, his announcement suggests both sides reached a compromise after weeks of private meetings and discussions.
The dispute had become a focal point during Blanche’s confirmation process, with several senators signaling they would not support moving his nomination forward until questions surrounding the fund were resolved. By agreeing to rescind the funding mechanism, Blanche appears to have removed one of the final obstacles standing in the way of committee consideration.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote Tuesday on whether to advance Blanche’s nomination to the full Senate. If approved, lawmakers will then consider his confirmation in a vote before the full chamber.
Blanche, a longtime attorney who has served in senior legal roles, has emphasized his commitment to restoring public confidence in the Justice Department and maintaining transparency with Congress. Sunday’s agreement underscores the importance of cooperation between the executive branch and lawmakers as the confirmation process moves forward.
The Justice Department has not yet announced whether the rescinded funds will be redirected elsewhere or whether a revised proposal addressing the senators’ concerns could be introduced in the future.
The resolution marks a notable breakthrough in a high-profile confirmation battle, easing tensions between the Trump administration and Senate Republicans while paving the way for Blanche’s nomination to advance.
