Blanche: No 'anti-weaponization fund', but Trump tax shield stays

Attorney General Todd Blanche this week confirmed that the Department of Justice would not move forward with a planned $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization fund" amid backlash, but that an addendum blocking the IRS from pursuing tax enforcement would remain in place.

Blanche made the remarks during an exchange with House Democrats, while testifying before a House committee. The fund came as part of a settlement to end President Donald Trump's suit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns by contractor Charles Littlejohn, who pleaded guilty. The DOJ later added an addendum indicating that Trump and his business would enjoy protection from further tax enforcement.

“We are not moving forward with the fund, period,” Blanche said, according to CNBC. His confirmation followed reports that the administration would scrap the fund due to backlash from lawmakers in both chambers.

During a separate exchange with Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., Blanche confirmed that the DOJ would not rescind the addendum granting Trump protection from tax enforcement. Blanche defended the agreement as "typical" and said "It’s nothing that gives any sort of immunity in the future to the president or his family or his organizations."

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.