Blanche Rescinds Anti-Weaponization Fund in Confirmation Fight

"It's unfortunate that Todd Blanche, who I consider qualified for the job, will not be confirmed because of this reversal," Tillis said.

The effect of Blanche's announcement on Trump's plan to route the money through Congress was not immediately clear.

The fund came from a settlement between Trump's lawyers and the Internal Revenue Service that resolved a $10 billion lawsuit the president and his two oldest sons filed over tax returns for 2019 and 2020 leaked by a contractor. The contractor was later convicted and imprisoned. Blanche had said the fund was dead, and federal prosecutors told the courts it was no longer part of the settlement. The two senators wanted written assurance it would not be revived.

Blanche, who also serves as Trump's personal lawyer, said his team had met with senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding issues. "We have enjoyed good faith discussions, and as a result issue the following order and update with regard to the May IRS settlement," he said.

Trump has repeatedly said he was targeted by the Biden administration's Justice Department. The fund was designed to use taxpayer money to compensate people who claimed similar treatment, including people convicted in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Trump pardoned more than 1,500 of those defendants on his first day back in office. Democrats and some Republicans had criticized the fund, and its status shifted after Trump said it was not dead and threatened the senators who opposed Blanche because of it.

Neither Cornyn nor Tillis had publicly commented on Blanche's Sunday announcement.