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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told senators Tuesday that details surrounding payments from the Trump administration’s controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” compensation fund would eventually be made public, as Democrats blasted the program as an unprecedented taxpayer-funded political slush fund.
Blanche made the pledge while appearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee to defend the Justice Department’s proposed $41.2 billion budget for fiscal year 2027. The hearing quickly became dominated by questions about the newly announced fund, which is designed to compensate individuals who claim they were unfairly targeted by what the administration describes as a politicized justice system under former President Joe Biden.
“There will be full transparency,” Blanche told lawmakers. “There’s privacy laws that exist, so I don’t want to sit here today and say every scintilla of data will be released. … But I very much anticipate that the claims that are awarded — the basis and the amount — will for sure be made public along the way.”
The compensation fund was announced Monday as part of a broader settlement agreement resolving three claims President Donald Trump filed in his personal capacity against the federal government he now leads. The agreement establishes a five-member commission, largely appointed by the attorney general, to distribute the funds. The deal does not explicitly require the commission to publicly disclose how awards are determined or distributed.
Critics immediately raised ethical and legal concerns over the arrangement, arguing it effectively allows Trump’s administration to direct taxpayer funds toward political allies and supporters, including individuals connected to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, sharply criticized the fund during Tuesday’s hearing.
“Here you are at a budget hearing asking for taxpayer funds to pursue the department’s mission, when you’re using those funds to punish Trump’s adversaries, reward his friends and pursue his personal vendettas,” Van Hollen said.
“Every American can see through this illegal, corrupt and self-dealing scheme,” he added.
Blanche defended the initiative as an effort to address alleged abuses of power by prior administrations.
In a statement released Monday, Blanche described the fund as a process “for victims of lawfare and weaponization to be heard and seek redress.”
Tuesday marked Blanche’s first appearance before Congress since becoming acting attorney general, capping a turbulent six-week tenure marked by aggressive moves aligned with Trump’s longstanding criticisms of the Justice Department and federal law enforcement agencies.
Democrats also questioned Blanche over several recent Justice Department actions, including the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey on allegations tied to threats against the president, efforts to reverse remaining Jan. 6 convictions, and additional payouts to Trump allies who say they were politically targeted.
The “anti-weaponization” fund stems from a broader legal settlement tied to lawsuits Trump brought against the federal government, including litigation involving the IRS and claims connected to investigations during and after his first term in office.
Legal experts and ethics watchdog groups have questioned the arrangement because the settlement negotiations involved government attorneys representing agencies ultimately overseen by Trump himself.
