US acting AG cancels Trump ally fund, paving way for nomination

The nomination of Todd Blanche to head the U.S. Justice Department is moving forward after he formally canceled a controversial $1.8 billion fund designed to compensate allies of former President Donald Trump. The fund, initially intended for individuals who believe they were unfairly prosecuted, had drawn bipartisan criticism and threatened to derail Blanche's confirmation.

Two key Republican senators, John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, had stated they would not vote to advance Blanche's nomination out of the Senate Judiciary Committee without written confirmation that the fund was permanently defunct. They expressed gratitude to Blanche and his staff for addressing their concerns, indicating their support for his nomination to proceed.

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We want to express our gratitude to Mr. Blanche and his staff for working with us on this, and we look forward to voting to advance his nomination out of the Senate Judiciary Committee soon.

Blanche issued a formal order to cancel the fund, which he described as being "beyond a shadow of a doubt" dead. He had previously testified that the Justice Department would not proceed with the fund due to the significant backlash, particularly concerning potential payments to individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot. The order explicitly states that no members were named, no funds were transferred, and no claims process was established or paid.

The order also limits the scope of another agreement provision that granted broad immunity to Trump and others. The Justice Department emphasized that despite previous assurances to Congress and courts that the fund would not move forward, this official order definitively terminates it. The cancellation aims to resolve the concerns raised by senators and clear the path for Blanche's nomination.

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This order establishes, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that no Fund exists.