Acting Attorney General Blanche has come under intensified scrutiny amid ongoing concerns related to former President Donald Trump and recent Justice Department decisions. Following several days of discussions, Blanche issued an order late Sunday confirming that the so-called “Anti-Weaponization Fund” no longer exists. However, Democrats have criticized the order as insufficient, arguing it does not prevent the Trump administration from reestablishing the fund once Blanche is confirmed as attorney general, and they are calling for legislation to permanently prohibit its revival.
The fund had been designed to provide compensation to individuals claiming to have been wronged by the government, including some Trump allies involved in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, warned that the fund could be reinstated with a new order shortly after Blanche’s confirmation, signaling ongoing concerns about potential political reprisals.
Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis had previously sought clarification on a separate aspect of a settlement involving Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, particularly regarding immunity from tax audits for Trump and his family. In response, the Justice Department clarified that the partial immunity agreement applies only to existing claims at the time of the settlement and does not extend to future tax filings. Additionally, the agreement explicitly covers only Trump, two of his sons, and the Trump Organization, excluding other parties.
Cornyn defended his support for Blanche by emphasizing the need for steady leadership at the Justice Department. “The Department of Justice does not need a temporary, unconfirmed nominee as our nation’s top law enforcement official,” Cornyn said, adding that Trump also requires a “strong legal mind” in that role.
Blanche’s nomination has faced significant opposition centered on questions over his independence from the White House, the department’s approach to investigations involving Trump’s political adversaries, and the handling of materials linked to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking probe. The settlement of the IRS lawsuit, in particular, delayed the Senate Judiciary Committee’s vote on his nomination as Cornyn and Tillis raised objections ahead of the conclusion of their Senate terms in January.
Senator Chuck Grassley, the committee chairman, echoed the concerns of Tillis and Cornyn, calling their demands “common sense” and expressing appreciation for the cooperative efforts that led to the formal rescinding of the fund and clarification of the settlement terms. Grassley stated that these steps should resolve the dispute “once and for all.”
Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS has drawn sharp criticism for its unusual nature, with the former president challenging an agency within the executive branch he once led. A federal judge recently condemned the case as an improper act of self-dealing and referred one of Trump’s attorneys for potential disciplinary measures.
Blanche, previously a federal prosecutor and a key member of Trump’s legal defense team during multiple indictments, joined the Justice Department last year as deputy attorney general. He was promoted to acting attorney general after his predecessor failed to meet Trump’s demand for aggressive legal action against the former president’s political opponents.
Although Blanche has publicly stated he is not seeking the permanent role, his swift moves to intensify investigations into Trump’s critics and advance White House priorities have drawn criticism, with opponents asserting he continues to act as Trump’s personal lawyer. Shortly after assuming the top Justice Department position, Blanche oversaw the effort to indict former FBI Director James Comey on charges related to a social media post—a move widely viewed as politically motivated.