Todd Blanche formally voided the Trump DOJ settlement fund on Sunday.
Why it matters: The rescission removes a live political flashpoint as Blanche faces confirmation to be attorney general. It also ends the immediate risk that a DOJ settlement tied to Trump’s claims could become part of his confirmation fight.
- The Justice Department said Blanche's May 18 order creating the fund is "rescinded and shall have no force or effect."
- The fund was set at $1.776 billion and came from a settlement tied to Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS and DOJ.
- AP reported Republican Sens. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn had withheld support for Blanche’s nomination over the fund.
- Blanche had already told Congress and courts the fund was not moving forward before the formal rescission.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche formally rescinded the Trump administration’s anti-weaponization fund on Sunday, according to AP and the Justice Department. The department said the May 18 order creating the fund was "rescinded and shall have no force or effect."
Blanche is currently serving as acting attorney general while also being the nominee for attorney general, according to the coverage of the move. That made the fund more than a policy dispute - it became a confirmation issue.
The fund grew out of a settlement tied to Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS and DOJ. In the department’s announcement, the agreement would send $1.776 billion from the Judgment Fund and address claims of "weaponization" and "lawfare." Justice Department
Under the settlement, the department said the money would also come with broad tax-audit protections for Trump, certain family members, the Trump Organization and related or affiliated individuals. That drew scrutiny over how a government settlement could be structured to benefit claims connected to a former president’s complaints about federal agencies.
AP reported Republican Sens. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn had withheld support for Blanche’s nomination over the fund, and that Blanche had already told Congress and courts the fund was not moving forward before the formal order was issued. AP
By the numbers
- $1.776 billion - Amount the Justice Department said would come from the Judgment Fund
- May 18 - Date of the order Blanche rescinded
- 2 Republican senators - Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, who AP said withheld support
Yes, but: The formal rescission removes the order, but AP reported Blanche had already said the fund was not moving forward before Sunday.