Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche has formally rescinded the Justice Department's proposed $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund," issuing a written order that eliminates the program ahead of a key Senate Judiciary Committee vote on his nomination to become attorney general. The fund, announced in May as part of a settlement resolving President Donald Trump's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the disclosure of his tax records, was intended to compensate individuals who claimed they had been improperly targeted by the federal government. Critics from both parties questioned the proposal, arguing it could allow taxpayer money to benefit Trump allies.

Blanche's decision followed weeks of negotiations with Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, who delayed his confirmation while seeking legally binding assurances that the fund would not move forward. The Justice Department also clarified that a separate provision limiting IRS audits applies only retroactively to the plaintiffs covered by the settlement and does not shield future tax filings. Department officials said the fund was never activated, with no governing board appointed, no claims process established and no payments issued.