WASHINGTON -The Department of Justice has permanently abandoned plans for a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization compensation fund created to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump against the Internal Revenue Service, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testified to a House panel on Tuesday. But Trump, his family members and related business entities remain protected from tax audits and enforcement actions in connection with tax returns filed before last month’s out-of-court settlement of his lawsuit, Blanche told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. Blanche, who previously served as Trump’s criminal defense attorney, personally signed off on the DOJ’s May 19 addendum to the settlement of the lawsuit that gave Trump and his family that protection, a day after the deal was announced. The addendum also bars the DOJ from prosecuting Trump and the others for cases that would be based on “Lawfare and/or Weaponization,” without defining what those terms mean or…

June 2 (UPI) -- Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said at a congressional hearing Tuesday that the Department of Justice will not operate a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund that had been criticized as a way for the Trump administration to reward its allies.

The Justice Department is permanently abandoning its plan to set up a $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress on Tuesday.

Acting AG Todd Blanche says Trump would have "absolutely" faced prison time if he had not won the 2024 presidential election after 34 felony convictions.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told lawmakers the Justice Department will not move forward with its proposed anti-weaponization fund, saying the effort is over despite ongoing litigation and questions about its future after June 12.