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.
31 Articles
31 Articles
Republicans panicking after Trump 'cut their legs out' with slush fund move: CNN
President Donald Trump gave Republicans another reason to pull their hair out on Wednesday after he refused to confirm whether he would pursue a controversial move that has received a lot of blowback. Trump has teased establishing a $1.776 billion fund to pay people who claim that they were wrongful...
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…
'Will abide by the Court's ruling': The Trump administration seemingly backs off $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' DOJ fund
The Donald Trump administration signaled that it is stepping back from its disputed $1.8 billion fund. The Justice Department had previously announced the fund to support people it described as victims of lawfare and weaponization, a move that drew criticism almost immediately after it was made public. In a statement, the Justice Department said that while it strongly disagrees with the decision, it will follow the Court’s ruling that temporaril…
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...
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