Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche ordered the termination of a proposed $1.776 billion [1] "anti-weaponization" fund on July 14, 2026 [3].
The move prevents the Justice Department from using federal money to compensate individuals involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection. This decision follows a period of significant political tension within the Republican party regarding the legality and ethics of such payouts.
Blanche said the fund was "dead" during his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 [4]. The fund, which some reports rounded to $1.8 billion [2], had become a primary obstacle to his nomination. Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis blocked Blanche's confirmation over the issue [5].
By rescinding the fund late Sunday, Blanche sought to remove the barrier to his appointment. The proposed fund was designed to provide financial relief to those who claimed they were targeted by the government for their political activities, a move critics argued would reward illegal activity at the U.S. Capitol.
Blanche's decision was met with mixed reactions from conservative circles. While some praised the reversal, others argued the step was a partial fix. Conservative writer David French said the action was "woefully incomplete" [1].
The termination order was issued from the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., effectively ending the proposal before it could be implemented [2].
“Blanche said the fund was "dead" during his Senate confirmation hearing.”
The termination of the anti-weaponization fund reflects a strategic concession by Todd Blanche to secure Senate confirmation. By aligning with the concerns of key Republican senators, Blanche avoided a stalemate that could have left the Justice Department without a confirmed leader, though the move also highlights a divide within the GOP over the legacy of the Jan. 6 insurrection.
