Blanche Declares There Is "No Fund" for Trump Allies, Winning Over the Republicans Blocking His Attorney General Vote

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued an order on Sunday evening, Aug. 2, 2026 stating "beyond any doubt, that there is no Fund" — the $1.8 billion pool announced in the settlement of Trump's lawsuit against the IRS to compensate allies who say they were prosecuted for political reasons. The order said no members were appointed, no funds transferred and no claims paid. The department also confirmed in writing that the settlement's tax-audit immunity covers only claims open at the time and only the plaintiffs. GOP Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis had blocked the nomination pending those assurances.

A conflict-of-interest objection resolved by administrative order rather than statute leaves the arrangement reversible by the same means. Democrats said the order does not bar a later revival of the fund, nor stop the department from compensating Trump allies, including Jan. 6 defendants, through a pre-existing claims process.

The Senate Judiciary Committee was scheduled to vote Tuesday, Aug. 4. As of the Associated Press report that morning, the vote had not been held.