Trump administration drops $1.8 billion ‘weaponization’ fund

The Trump administration has abandoned its nearly $1.8 billion “weaponization” fund, a move announced by Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche to lawmakers on Tuesday. This decision follows significant backlash from Republican senators, who had questioned the fund's purpose and potential recipients.

Blanche stated definitively, “We are not moving forward with the fund. Period.” The fund originated from a legal settlement between President Donald Trump and the Justice Department, intended to resolve a lawsuit concerning the alleged mishandling of Trump's tax records. While the fund is being dropped, the agreement to prevent future audits of Trump's past tax records will remain in place.

The cancellation occurred amid an impasse over a $72 billion bill for immigration and border patrol operations. Congressional leaders had suggested the immigration bill's passage was contingent on killing the fund. Sources familiar with the White House's thinking indicated that Blanche's own future might depend on his success in addressing these senatorial concerns.

Last month, Blanche angered senators by not committing to exclude individuals who assaulted police officers during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot from receiving funds from the $1.776 billion allocation. White House officials reportedly spent Monday contacting lawmakers to reassure them that no payouts would occur, but these assurances did little to quell Republican demands ahead of Blanche's House subcommittee hearing.

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We are not moving forward with the fund. Period.