Full Breakdown
Todd Blanche’s Attorney General Nomination Advances After Deal on Controversial “Anti-Weaponization” Fund
8/4/2026, 9:14:29 PM
Core Event
The Senate Judiciary Committee moved forward with Todd Blanche’s attorney-general confirmation after he signed a memorandum rescinding a May 18 order that would have created a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. The amendment satisfied Sens. John Cornyn (Texas) and Thom Tillis (North Carolina), whose objections had stalled the nomination. The committee’s vote now sends the nomination to the full Senate.
Background & Context
On May 18 the Justice Department issued an order establishing a $1.8 billion fund to pay individuals the Trump administration described as victims of “weaponization” by the government. Critics said the fund could benefit pardoned participants in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. After the order, the DOJ retained the ability to make payments through the longstanding Judgment Fund.
Timeline
- May 18 – DOJ order creates the anti-weaponization fund.
- Recent weekend (Sunday) – Blanche signs a memo rescinding the order after negotiations with Cornyn and Tillis.
- Following the memo – The Judiciary Committee schedules a vote to advance the nomination.
- Later this week – Senate leadership plans to file a cloture motion and hold a floor vote before the August recess.
Data & Statistics
- Fund value: $1.8 billion (a symbolic $1.776 billion figure appeared in filings).
- Republicans hold 53 Senate seats; with Sen. Mitch McConnell absent, the effective majority is 52.
- Two GOP senators (Cornyn, Tillis) initially blocked the nomination; moderate Republicans (Collins, Murkowski, Cassidy, Curtis, Husted) remain undecided.
- The Justice Department has moved to dismiss one lawsuit filed by a pardoned Jan. 6 participant.
Official Statements & Responses
President Donald Trump later called the fund “dead” but said he wished it were not, calling it “a positive” and praising Blanche’s qualifications. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said leadership hopes to complete the confirmation before the recess, and Sen. Steve Daines said the deal removed a “major hurdle.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “To state the obvious, Mr. Blanche’s statement on the slush fund and the IRS immunity agreement are not signed by the parties to the settlement agreement and are therefore unenforceable,” — Sen. Dick Durbin
- “Right now, it’s still pending in the committee but hopefully it will come out of the committee tomorrow and then we’ll go from there,” — Sen. John Thune
- “That was a major hurdle that looks like it’s been surpassed, I hope we can move it forward,” — Sen. Steve Daines
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Durbin’s claim that the settlement is unenforceable contrasts with Trump’s statements that he could reactivate the fund via a new DOJ order. The Justice Department has not clarified how it will handle pending lawsuits from pardoned Jan. 6 participants, leaving those claims uncertain.
What’s Next
Senate leadership intends to file a cloture motion later this week, followed by a floor vote and final confirmation before the August recess. The outcome will determine whether the anti-weaponization fund remains rescinded and how the Justice Department proceeds with related litigation.
