Todd Blanche may have promised to kill Donald Trump’s controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund to secure his confirmation as attorney general, but one top Senate Democrat says that promise comes with a glaring catch.
According to Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the deal Blanche struck to win over skeptical Republicans could be undone almost as quickly as it was announced.
Durbin warned Tuesday that Blanche’s order rescinding the fund amounts to little more than a temporary pause because, once he’s confirmed as attorney general, he could simply issue another order bringing it right back.
“The cop beaters fund can easily be revived with a new order from the Department of Justice 15 minutes after Mr. Blanche is confirmed as attorney general,” Durbin said during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting.
The controversy centers on Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion political slush fund for himself and his allies. The money was part of a broader deal that also granted Trump sweeping immunity from IRS enforcement.
Blanche, currently serving as acting attorney general, announced Sunday that he had rescinded the fund. The move proved crucial in convincing Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina to stop blocking his nomination and allow it to advance.
But Durbin argued Republicans shouldn’t assume the issue is settled.
According to the Illinois Democrat, neither the agreement nor the order permanently prevents the Justice Department from restoring the fund after Blanche is officially confirmed.
He also argued that both the fund and Trump’s IRS immunity are legally questionable and could ultimately face challenges in court.
In Durbin’s view, the timing raises obvious concerns: Republicans get the political cover of saying the fund has been eliminated, while Blanche have the authority to restore it almost immediately after securing Senate confirmation.
For now, Blanche’s order appears to have accomplished its immediate goal, winning over the Republican votes needed to keep his nomination moving. But Democrats are warning that what looks like the end of the controversial fund could instead be little more than an intermission.
Watch the clip below:
Sen. @DickDurbin: Todd Blanche has no business serving as our nation's chief law enforcement officer. 2 Republican members of this committee said they would not vote for Mr. Blanche unless the J6 slush fund was permanently terminated. To state the obvious, Mr. Blanche's statement… pic.twitter.com/BpMyb008EE
— Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) August 4, 2026
