DOJ creates $1.776B "Anti-Weaponization Fund" from Judgment Fund without congressional vote

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced on May 18, 2026, that the DOJ had created an "Anti-Weaponization Fund" as part of a settlement in Trump v. IRS. The fund draws $1.776 billion from the Judgment Fund — a permanent Treasury appropriation — without a congressional vote. Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization dropped their $10 billion IRS lawsuit with prejudice and withdrew claims over the Mar-a-Lago FBI raid and Russia investigation. In exchange, they got a formal government apology but no direct cash. A five-member commission appointed by the Acting AG processes claims through December 15, 2028. The $1.776B figure deliberately echoes 1776.