Republicans consider next steps after scrapping of $1.8 billion fund for Trump allies
Senators want more details before advancing immigration funding as the Justice Department follows a judge’s two-week freeze on the $1.776 billion fund.
- On Tuesday, Senate Republicans met to weigh next steps after the Justice Department agreed to comply with a court order temporarily halting a $1.776 billion settlement fund, with District Judge Leonie Brinkema scheduling a June 12 hearing to discuss extending the order.
- The controversy stems from the fund potentially compensating President Donald Trump's supporters who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, prompting senators to demand the administration scrap or limit the fund before passing related immigration legislation.
- Tensions escalated last month during a closed-door meeting with Attorney General Todd Blanche, which Republican Sen. Ted Cruz described as "one of the roughest meetings I've seen," as senators seek explicit assurances on payout criteria.
- Trump is reportedly reconsidering the fund, though he has not stated his intentions publicly, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated the immigration spending bill remains stalled pending further administration clarity.
- Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana warned the reconciliation bill "looks like a broken arm with the bones sticking out" without resolution, while Oklahoma Sen. Jim Lankford urged officials to "say what they actually mean" regarding the fund.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Trump uncertain whether anti-weaponization fund is dead or paused
President Donald Trump appeared uncertain Wednesday about the future of the Justice Department’s proposed $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization fund,” which has caused some consternation on Capitol Hill. A day after acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress the DOJ would not move forward with the fund, Trump was equivocal on whether the White House was officially dropping it. “I’d have to ask the lawyers. I don’t know,” he told reporters W…
WSJ Board: GOP Must Kill Slush Fund "For Good"
The Wall Street Journal editorial board writes: President Trump is retreating from the proposal to set up a $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund as a settlement of his lawsuit against his Internal Revenue Service. “We’re not moving forward with the fund. Period,” acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress Tuesday. Not moving forward? That isn’t dead for good, and it isn’t enough. Republicans in Congress can kill the idea forever, how…
Republican Senate leaders are rapidly moving forward with plans to approve $70 billion in new funds for the implementation of immigration laws, despite strong disagreements that still exist in the party on how to manage immigration laws...
Letters to the Editor: Setbacks to Trump’s $1.8-billion fund prove he’s not immune to outrage
'This shows that no, Trump is not a king — he can be defeated, his actions can be reversed. This is the time for all democracy-loving Americans to push back even harder,' writes an L.A. Times reader.
MichaelSavage.com – Republicans Weigh Next Steps After Scrapping of ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Fund
Senate Republicans were evaluating Tuesday whether the Trump administration's scrapping of a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund eased their concerns enough to move forward with votes this week on separate legislation funding immigration enforcement. Democrats were relishing the chance to put Republican senators on the record about the settlement fund for those who claim to have…
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