DOJ Drops $1.8 Billion Anti-Weaponization Fund After Court Fight, GOP Pushback

.8 Billion Anti-Weaponization Fund After Court Fight, GOP Pushback 1">by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – The Justice Department has permanently abandoned plans to create a $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told lawmakers Tuesday, ending a controversial proposal that had become a political obstacle for Senate Republicans.

“We are not moving forward with the fund, period,” Blanche said during testimony before the House Appropriations subcommittee overseeing Justice Department funding. His remarks came after the department said it would comply with a temporary injunction blocking further action on the fund while litigation proceeds in federal court in Virginia. A hearing in that case is scheduled for June 12.

The fund was announced last month as part of a Justice Department settlement with President Donald Trump to resolve his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns. The proposal drew sharp criticism from Democrats and concern from several Republicans, who objected to moving ahead with a major immigration and law enforcement funding package while the fund remained unresolved.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune had delayed consideration of the funding bill and urged the administration to kill the fund. Some GOP senators, including Thom Tillis of North Carolina, said they still want legislative language preventing the administration from reviving it later.

Blanche said the decision not to proceed does not undo the broader settlement with Trump, his companies, and his sons. He also rejected Democratic claims that the agreement amounted to “blanket immunity,” saying it was part of a customary IRS settlement structure.

Democrats pressed Blanche to put the reversal in writing, but he declined to commit, saying the hearing transcript would document his testimony.

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