Justice Department Abandons $1.8 Billion Anti-Weaponization Fund

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told a House Appropriations subcommittee Tuesday that the Justice Department will not move forward with a proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund. "We are not moving forward with the fund, period," Blanche said during the hearing on the department's budget request.

Earlier, officials had defended the plan as a way to address alleged weaponization of the justice system. Republican lawmakers had threatened to block separate legislation unless the fund included stricter oversight. Blanche said the concerns that prompted the fund remain, but the department is not proceeding.

Blanche also confirmed that a separate agreement barring the IRS from pursuing past tax claims against the president, family members and businesses will stay in effect. "Nothing has changed" regarding the tax protections, he said.

When asked whether the department would issue a written memo rescinding the original settlement, Blanche declined to commit. "I'm not committing to putting anything in writing," he told the panel. Democratic Rep. Grace Meng pressed for documentation to build public trust.

Blanche replied that he was stating the department's position directly. Republican leaders said Blanche's testimony may allow them to advance stalled immigration funding legislation in the Senate.