Key facts
- The Trump administration is abandoning its nearly $1.8 billion 'weaponization' fund.
- U.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the cancellation of the fund.
- The fund faced significant backlash from Republican senators.
- The fund originated from a legal settlement concerning Donald Trump's tax records and the IRS.
- The agreement preventing future audits of Trump's past tax records remains in effect.
The Trump administration has decided to abandon its nearly $1.8 billion 'weaponization' fund following significant backlash from Republican senators. U.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche officially stated that the administration is not moving forward with the fund. This fund originated from a legal settlement between President Donald Trump and the Justice Department, which aimed to resolve a $10 billion lawsuit concerning the IRS's alleged mishandling of Trump's tax records. Despite the cancellation of the fund, the agreement that bars the IRS from pursuing future audits into Trump's or his family's past tax records will remain in effect. The decision to drop the fund came amid an impasse over a $72 billion bill for immigration and border patrol operations, with congressional leaders questioning its passage if the fund was not killed. The 'weaponization' fund was intended to compensate individuals who claimed to have been subjected to government abuse. Concerns were raised when Blanche did not commit to barring individuals who assaulted police officers during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot from receiving funds. White House officials reportedly worked to assure lawmakers that no payouts would occur, but Republican demands for a definitive promise that the fund was dead persisted.