Overview
- Todd Blanche, in his first press conference after his narrow confirmation on Wednesday, reaffirmed that he rescinded the May order that set up the roughly $1.7–$1.8 billion fund and said the fund “does not exist.”
- Blanche said no commissioners were appointed and no money was disbursed under the plan, a point he repeated under oath during his confirmation process.
- The White House and Blanche said they would back a congressional statute to compensate people they describe as victims of a weaponized DOJ, making Congress the likely next forum for payouts.
- Critics and some senators had called the fund a potential “slush fund” that could reward political allies, and legal observers warn the rescission could be reversed or replicated through settlements or new laws.
- Federal judges had previously criticized parts of the underlying settlement and appeals and court scrutiny remain, leaving the broader dispute and questions about evidence and taxpayer exposure unresolved.