Trump to Drop $1.8 Billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, Blanche Says

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Trump administration will drop plans for a $1.8 billion fund to pay victims of alleged government “weaponization” following a backlash from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

“We are not moving forward with the fund. Period,” Blanche said Tuesday in testimony to the House Appropriations subcommittee overseeing the Justice Department.

Blanche had been one of Trump’s personal attorneys before the president appointed him to the Justice Department.

Democrats derided the account as a taxpayer-financed slush fund for Trump’s political allies. Several Republican senators also have balked at allowing federal money to be used for ...