Trump Calls for Bill to Revive $1.8 Billion Fund

President Donald Trump called on Congress on August 1, 2026, to pass an Anti-Weaponization Bill that would codify a settlement fund valued between $1.776 billion and $1.8 billion. This demand comes only one day after Trump announced at a televised Cabinet meeting at Camp David that the fund was dead. The money originated from a settlement in a lawsuit Trump filed against the Internal Revenue Service regarding his tax returns, which also granted his family immunity from certain tax audits.

The fund was intended to compensate individuals who claim they were targeted by government weaponization, including participants in the January 6 Capitol attack. While Trump defended the need for the payouts, citing that victims were horribly treated, his legal team is currently appealing a judicial ruling that labeled the IRS settlement an improper exercise in self-dealing.

This policy reversal has intensified a conflict with Republican Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn. Both senators are blocking the confirmation of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, demanding written guarantees that the fund will not be revived. Senator Tillis described the proposal as a payout pot for punks and stated the reversal further jeopardizes Blanche's nomination. The Senate Judiciary Committee has rescheduled Blanche's confirmation vote for Tuesday.