Trump threatens to revive $1.8bn 'anti-weaponisation' fund as Senate standoff deepens

August 1, 2026

President Trump is threatening to revive a $1. 8 billion fund intended to compensate his allies for alleged politically motivated prosecutions, as leverage in a confirmation battle over his attorney general nominee Todd Blanche. Two Republican senators, John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, are blocking Blanche's confirmation on the Senate Judiciary Committee unless he formally commits in writing that the Justice Department will not resurrect this controversial fund.

Who is affected

Todd Blanche (acting attorney general whose permanent confirmation is blocked)
President Donald Trump
Senators John Cornyn (Texas) and Thom Tillis (North Carolina)
Trump allies who would potentially receive compensation from the fund
January 6 Capitol riot participants, including those convicted of assaulting police officers
Democrats and some Republicans opposed to the fund
The Senate Judiciary Committee

What action is being taken

Todd Blanche is acting as attorney general
Senators Cornyn and Tillis are withholding their approval for Blanche's confirmation
The two senators are demanding written commitment from Blanche that the Justice Department will not resurrect the fund
A federal judge has blocked the fund

Why it matters

This standoff represents a significant power struggle within the Republican party, demonstrating that even members of Trump's own party are willing to resist his priorities when they view them as problematic. The controversy matters because the proposed $1.8 billion fund could potentially compensate individuals convicted of serious crimes during the January 6 Capitol riot, including those who assaulted police officers, which raises ethical and legal concerns about using government funds to reward criminal behavior. The situation also impacts the leadership of the Justice Department, as the agency continues without a permanent attorney general, potentially affecting its operations and credibility.

What's next

The Senate Judiciary Committee has a meeting scheduled for Tuesday for a possible vote on Blanche's nomination
Tillis expressed hope to resolve the issue by Tuesday
If Cornyn and Tillis don't approve Blanche, Trump stated he will keep him as Acting Attorney General and push to get the "Anti-Weaponization Bill" passed

Read full article from source: BBC