Trump Avoids Confirming End of Anti-Weaponization Fund Amid Judicial Block and GOP Pushback
6 verified3 unconfirmed
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress that the Trump administration has scrapped plans for a proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, but President Donald Trump declined to confirm the fund is dead. Speaking to reporters, Trump called the idea “the greatest thing” and said he would “have to ask the lawyers” about its status. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the fund from disbursing money, and the Justice Department has said it will abide by that ruling. The fund had stalled Senate Republican efforts to advance a reconciliation package funding immigration enforcement agencies, as some GOP lawmakers expressed opposition. The Senate voted to proceed with a $72 billion immigration enforcement package that does not include the fund. Democrats have criticized the fund as a slush fund that could reward Trump allies and January 6 participants.
What’s verified
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told members of Congress that the Trump administration has dropped plans for the anti-weaponization fund.
President Trump declined to confirm the fund is over, calling it “the greatest thing” and saying he would need to ask lawyers about its status.
A federal judge temporarily blocked the fund from making any disbursements.
The proposed fund was approximately $1.8 billion.
The fund caused delays in Senate Republican efforts to pass a reconciliation package funding immigration enforcement agencies, with some Republicans opposing it.
Democrats characterized the fund as a slush fund that could provide taxpayer money to Trump allies and supporters.
Not yet confirmed
One source reports that the fund was part of a settlement between Trump and the Justice Department over a $10 billion lawsuit Trump filed against the IRS.
Another source notes that a separate federal judge in Florida ordered Trump’s personal lawyers to justify the settlement, raising potential fraud concerns.
It remains unclear whether the fund will be revived through other means or if language explicitly blocking it will be included in the reconciliation bill.
Key figures
President Donald Trump
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche
Sources: CBS News, NPR, vox.com
