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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s administration will be discontinuing the Department of Justice’s anti-weaponization fund. This fund was initially designed to compensate individuals who were victims of government weaponization, but it has faced significant opposition from Senate Republicans.
During his testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee, Blanche stated, “We’re not moving forward with the fund, period.” The decision appears to be supported by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who confirmed in a press conference that the fund is “off the table.”
“WE’RE NOT MOVING FORWARD WITH THE FUND, PERIOD,” BLANCHE SAID DURING THE HEARING.
Concerns were raised that the fund might inadvertently aid individuals convicted of violent crimes during the January 6 Capitol riot. The fund was part of a settlement related to a lawsuit over the leak of President Trump’s tax returns by an IRS contractor.
House Speaker Mike Johnson informed President Trump that the fund hindered the progress of a reconciliation package aimed at funding immigration enforcement, suggesting it should be removed to ease legislative passage. Johnson mentioned, “I told Trump the fund made it difficult for Republicans to get the package to his desk.”
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER JOHN THUNE CONFIRMED DURING A TUESDAY PRESS GAGGLE THAT THE WEAPONIZATION FUND WAS “OFF THE TABLE.”
Despite defending the fund’s purpose, Blanche acknowledged the DOJ’s decision to drop it after a federal judge temporarily blocked its implementation amid ongoing litigation. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and several Republican senators, including Thom Tillis and Mitch McConnell, have also expressed opposition to the fund.
The reconciliation package, initially designed to respond to a 76-day shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, faced hurdles due to the fund controversy, with calls for a focus on funding immigration agencies like ICE and CBP.
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