Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche has formally withdrawn President Donald Trump's plan for a fund that could have been used to compensate individuals prosecuted over the 2021 US Capitol riot. This action removes an obstacle to Blanche's permanent confirmation by US senators.
The proposed $1.8bn "anti-weaponisation" fund, announced earlier this year, was intended to settle a lawsuit by Trump against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It would have allowed Trump allies to claim compensation for what they described as politically motivated prosecutions by previous administrations.
Two Republican senators, John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, had previously stalled Blanche's confirmation, seeking a written guarantee that the controversial proposal would not be revived. Blanche confirmed the withdrawal in a post on X, including a signed order stating, "This Order establishes, beyond any doubt, that there is no Fund."
A second concern for the senators was a provision that would have shielded the president, his family, and their businesses from IRS audits of past tax returns. Blanche also attached an unsigned memo to his post, stating that this IRS immunity would be limited to the "named parties in the lawsuit," which included Trump, his two sons, and the Trump Organization.
The fund plan and tax audit provision had prompted alarm among Democrats and some Republicans, who feared it could lead to payments for those prosecuted in connection with the 6 January 2021 Capitol riot, including individuals convicted of assaulting police officers. A federal judge had previously blocked the fund, citing ethical concerns.
The US Senate judiciary committee has a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, which may include a vote on Blanche's nomination.