Todd Blanche’s Attorney-General Nomination Stalled Over “Anti-Weaponization” Fund Dispute

The Senate Judiciary Committee’s planned Thursday vote on Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general is in jeopardy. Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn says he will not support the nomination until the Justice Department provides a written commitment to terminate the controversial “anti-weaponization” fund created in an IRS settlement. Committee chair Senator Chuck Grassley is expected to decide by 4 p.m. ET Wednesday whether the Thursday markup will proceed.

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The “anti-weaponization” fund was part of a 2024 settlement between the Justice Department and the IRS that allocated roughly $1.8 billion to compensate individuals who claim the department “weaponized” the legal system, including some participants in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack. The settlement also granted broad immunity to President Trump, his two eldest sons and the Trump Organization from future civil or criminal actions related to the case.

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The administration has asserted in court filings that it has abandoned the fund, and a federal judge has paused any payouts, but the Justice Department has not issued a formal written rescission.

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• Fund size: Approximately $1.8 billion (reported as $1.776 billion in some outlets).

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• Confirmation hearing: July 15, 2026.

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• Settlement date: May 2026.

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• Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC): His office is in contact with Blanche’s team and views the issue as “just a drafting exercise,” but warns that failure to reach an agreement could affect the markup.

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• Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA): “You’ll have to ask Tillis and Cornyn about that.”

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• Justice Department: Says it provided a written proposal to Cornyn’s staff and is willing to address any outstanding concerns.

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Sen. Cornyn opposes the nomination because he has not received a formal rescission of the fund, which he says is needed to prevent any future payments, including to those convicted for the Jan. 6 riot. Sen. Tillis echoes the need for a written agreement, noting that without it the committee’s markup could be jeopardized.

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• Fund amount: CNN cites $1.8 billion; Forbes lists $1.776 billion.

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• Written assurance: The Justice Department claims a proposal was delivered; Cornyn says he has not seen a document that meets his request.

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• Judge’s order: The settlement’s immunity clause was ordered “not to be referred to” in official proceedings, yet Blanche answered “yes” when asked if the immunity provision remains in effect, suggesting a discrepancy.

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• “So, we still got a little time, and hopefully, they now recognize the seriousness of this, and will be responsive,” — Sen. John Cornyn.

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Sen. Grassley will determine by the 4 p.m. ET deadline Wednesday whether the Thursday markup proceeds. If the Justice Department does not provide the written rescission sought by Cornyn and Tillis, the committee could postpone the vote, leaving Blanche’s appointment uncertain.

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