Blanche formally rescinds Trump’s $1.8bn ‘anti-weaponization fund’ ahead of nomination hearing | Donald Trump
US politics | The Guardian — 2026-08-02 23:46:00 — www.theguardian.com
Donald Trump Continues to Push for Discredited $1.8 Billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” Despite Formal Termination
Donald Trump has repeatedly voiced support for a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” intended to compensate his political allies, even as the Justice Department has now formally ended the proposal. Acting US attorney general Todd Blanche issued a written order late Sunday officially terminating the fund, following weeks of negotiations with Republican senators who had blocked his nomination over concerns the fund could be revived.
Trump’s Persistent Advocacy
Throughout the negotiations, Trump has maintained that the fund should proceed. He said that individuals charged in connection with the January 6 attack on the Capitol, who could have benefited from the fund, had “their lives destroyed.” Trump characterized the fund as “a reimbursement for the pain that they suffered,” adding, “A lot of people like it.”
Despite these statements, Blanche and the Justice Department had already made clear in public and in court that the fund was not moving forward. Lawmakers remained concerned, however, because Trump continued to express support for the idea, raising the possibility it could be revived in some form.
Official Termination and Legal Clarifications
Blanche’s order, released Sunday night, rescinds the previous directive that had established the fund. It also narrows the scope of a related provision granting broad immunity from tax audits for Trump and his family, clarifying that this immunity applies only to claims open at the time of the settlement and does not shield future tax filings from examination.
Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims
Trump’s assertion that the fund would simply “reimburse” January 6 defendants for “pain they suffered” omits the fact that many of those individuals were charged with serious crimes related to the attack on the Capitol. The proposal to use taxpayer funds to compensate political allies facing legal consequences has drawn bipartisan criticism and was never formally enacted, despite Trump’s repeated claims and continued advocacy.
Conclusion
While the Justice Department has now formally ended the controversial “anti-weaponization fund,” Trump’s ongoing support for the idea highlights his willingness to push discredited proposals and to frame legal accountability for January 6 defendants as unjust persecution. The formal termination of the fund and the clarification of related legal provisions underscore the gap between Trump’s rhetoric and the legal reality, leaving lawmakers and the public with a clear record of the facts.