Topline
The Trump administration’s $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund may not be as dead as it’s publicly suggested, as The Atlantic reports government officials are still quietly working to get money to President Donald Trump’s allies—undercutting the government as it prepares to argue in court why a judge shouldn’t block the allegedly defunct fund.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche looks on during a signing ceremony at the White House on June 10.
Getty Images
Key Facts
The Trump administration established a $1.8 billion fund for those who’ve felt “victimized” by the government, as part of a settlement between the president and the IRS, but plans only moved forward for a short period of time before GOP lawmakers expressed outrage about the fund and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche claimed it was canceled as a result.
The Atlantic, citing anonymous sources, reported Thursday government officials are still “quietly assur[ing] allies that plans for some form of payout remain on track,” however, whether that’s restoring the fund in some form or figuring out a different way to get money to the president’s allies.
Multiple lawsuits against the fund are still moving forward despite Blanche claiming it’s dead, as plaintiffs have expressed concerns the court shouldn’t take the AG at his word—noting Blanche has failed to put his commitment to kill the fund in writing, and has not formally rescinded the order establishing the fund.
The Atlantic’s reporting undercuts claims the government has made in court trying to assure that the fund is not moving forward and litigation against it should be declared moot and thrown out—which have so far been successful, with a federal judge declining Wednesday to pause the fund since it was not in effect.
It also comes one day before the government has to discuss the settlement in court, as a hearing is scheduled in a separate lawsuit to determine if an existing temporary pause against the fund, ordered before Blanche said it was dead, should be extended.
The White House and Justice Department have not yet responded to requests for comment on The Atlantic’s reporting.
What to Watch for
The Trump administration will appear in federal court in Virginia on Friday to argue for why the existing pause on the fund should be lifted. If the judge agrees, it remains to be seen what will happen at that point, as plaintiffs have expressed fears the government could go against Blanche’s word and start taking action to move the fund forward. The government also faces a deadline Friday to respond in Trump’s initial lawsuit against the IRS, which was settled out of court and resulted in the creation of the “anti-weaponization” fund. A coalition of former federal judges have asked the court to reopen that case in light of the controversial settlement, which could result in sanctions against Trump and his administration. The judge overseeing it has asked the parties to explain by Friday their position on whether the case should be reopened.
How Could Trump Allies Still Get Paid?
It remains to be seen what any potential payouts to Trump allies—including Jan. 6 rioters—could ultimately look like, if the government moves forward with payments as The Atlantic’s reporting suggests. It’s possible the Trump administration could simply reverse their promises and restore the fund, with one unnamed former lawmaker telling The Atlantic he’d been told by the administration that “nothing had changed” despite the public statements. If the fund isn’t restored, Trump allies could also get payouts by filing lawsuits against the government asking for damages, with the Trump administration developing a way to pay out settlements in an expedited way that won’t draw attention.
What Has Trump Said?
Critics of the Trump administration have also pointed to the president’s own comments to bolster their suspicions the anti-weaponization fund isn’t totally dead, as Trump has continued to defend the settlement in his lawsuit against the IRS. “Well, look. If it was up to me, I’d pay them the kind of money that they deserve,” Trump recently told NBC News when asked if the fund could be revived. “I think the weaponization fund is a great idea, and so do many other Republicans.”
Will The Anti-Weaponization Fund Impact Todd Blanche’s Confirmation?
The Trump administration is trying to avoid the debate over the anti-weaponization fund from reemerging while the Senate considers whether to confirm Blanche as attorney general, The Atlantic reports. A number of Republican lawmakers have expressed concern about the fund—namely that it could benefit Jan. 6 rioters who assaulted police officers—and a debate over the controversial settlement could throw a wrench into Blanche’s confirmation. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told CNN last week the anti-weaponization fund still being in effect could harm Blanche’s chances of being confirmed, and taking the issue “off the table” would mean his chances of making it through the Senate would “go up immeasurably.” If the fund is still an issue, “can you imagine what the Democrats are gonna do to that man during a confirmation hearing?” Tillis said. “Can you imagine how that could potentially influence a couple of our members?” No Republicans have yet committed to voting against Blanche, who was previously Trump’s personal attorney, though Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told reporters before The Atlantic’s reporting came out he was prepared to have an “interesting conversation” with the nominee about the anti-weaponization fund.
Further Reading
Trump Isn’t Giving Up on His Slush Fund (The Atlantic)
Trump’s $1.8 Billion Anti-Weaponization Fund Is Dead, Blanche Says (Forbes)
Applicants For Trump’s $1.8B Fund Include Proud Boys Leader, J6 Rioters And George Santos (Forbes)