Skip to content
Factliner

Blanche cancels $1.8bn fund, clearing path to AG confirmation

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche formally rescinded a $1.8bn fund criticized as a 'slush fund' after two Republican senators demanded its cancellation in writing.

·1 min read·7 outlets

The short version

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche canceled a $1.8bn fund to secure Republican support for his confirmation. Two GOP senators had threatened to block his nomination unless the fund was rescinded.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a formal order terminating the $1.8bn 'anti-weaponization fund' on August 3, 2026.4,2,1 The fund was widely criticized as a 'slush fund' used to compensate political allies.2 Republican Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn had threatened to block Blanche's confirmation unless the fund was rescinded in writing.3,1

Blanche posted an order stating, 'Beyond any doubt, there is no fund.'4 Two Republican senators said they would end their opposition to Blanche's confirmation after the fund was canceled.5 Blanche's nomination had been delayed due to the fund's existence.4,2

The rescission followed weeks of negotiations with the Republican senators.2 The fund was part of a broader controversy surrounding the Trump administration's use of discretionary funds.2 Blanche's confirmation process resumed after the fund's cancellation.4,3

The order explicitly terminated the fund to satisfy Republican demands.3,1

“Beyond any doubt, there is no fund.”
Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General4

Why it matters

  • The 'anti-weaponization fund' was a $1.8bn discretionary fund created by the Trump administration, described by critics as a mechanism to reward political supporters.2

  • The U.S. Attorney General is the head of the Department of Justice and is nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.4

This account was written from the 5 reports listed below, filed by 7 independent outlets, and checked against them line by line. It is not a copy of any one of them. Spotted an error? Tell us.

Well corroborated7 outlets
Left4Center1Right0

5 reports from 5 outlets. The numbers in the article point here.

Left-leaning4
Center1

Discussion

0

Comments are screened automatically. Disagreement is fine; abuse and spam are not.

Loading…

Related