Key facts
- Trump administration abandons $1.8 billion 'weaponization' fund.
- Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the fund will not proceed.
- Justice Department's agreement to bar future audits into Trump's tax records remains in place.
- Fund originated from a legal settlement over alleged mishandling of Trump's tax records.
- Fund was intended to compensate individuals claiming government abuse.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced on Tuesday that the Trump administration is abandoning its nearly $1.8 billion 'weaponization' fund following significant backlash from Republican senators. Blanche stated, 'We are not moving forward with the fund.' The Justice Department's agreement with President Donald Trump to prevent future audits of his or his family's past tax records will remain in effect. The decision to drop the fund came as congressional leaders faced an impasse with Trump over a $72 billion bill to fund ICE and Border Patrol operations, with some questioning the bill's passage if the fund was not eliminated. The 'weaponization' fund originated from a legal settlement between Trump and the Justice Department to resolve a $10 billion lawsuit concerning the alleged mishandling of Trump's tax records. The fund was intended to compensate individuals who claimed to have been subjected to government abuse. White House officials reportedly assured lawmakers that no payouts would occur after the Republican revolt. During a House hearing, Blanche declined to put the commitment to end the fund in writing when pressed by Rep. Grace Meng.