Maria Ramirez UribeMaria Ramirez Uribe
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced lawmakers Tuesday for the first time since taking the role, answering to bipartisan questions about his department's newly created "Anti-Weaponization Fund."
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The Justice Department announced on Monday a new, nearly $1.8 billion fund as part of a settlement with President Donald Trump to end a lawsuit against the IRS over the leaking of his tax returns. The $1.776 billion fund, a nod to the country's founding, would offer payouts to Trump allies who claim they were unfairly targeted by the Justice Department under the Biden administration.
WATCH: DOJ creates $1.8 billion fund that could compensate 'targeted' Trump allies
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., on Tuesday described the fund as "corruption that has never been more blatant."
Watch the clip in the player above.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., told Blanche he was acting "like the president's personal attorney," adding "that's the whole problem."
Blanche, who appeared before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee to testify on Trump's 2027 budget request for the department, served as Trump's personal lawyer before joining the Justice Department in 2025. He was named acting attorney general following the firing of his predecessor, Pam Bondi, in April.
Members of the subcommittee also asked Blanche about cuts to Justice Department programs and investigations into crimes related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Here are three major takeaways from Tuesday's hearing.
Blanche testified that the Justice Department's "Anti-Weaponization Fund" will be composed of a five-person commission. Four commissioners will be appointed by the attorney general and the fifth will be appointed in consultation with congressional leadership.
