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Trump reconsidering $1.8B anti-weaponization fund as DOJ pauses it
Developing
What we know
President Donald Trump is reconsidering whether to move ahead with a nearly $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" meant to compensate allies who say they were targeted by prior administrations, a person familiar with his thinking told AP on Monday. The Justice Department separately said it would temporarily pause implementation to comply with a federal judge's order blocking the fund pending further arguments.
Republican senators returning from recess said immigration and homeland funding remain stalled until the White House clarifies or drops the fund, which was created as part of settling Trump's IRS tax-leak lawsuit. DOJ said it "disagrees strongly" with the Virginia ruling but will abide by it; senators pressed for an explicit shutdown rather than a pause.
What's confirmed
- AP: Person familiar with Trump's thinking said Monday he is reconsidering the fund (AP).
- AP/NBC/CNBC: DOJ said it will comply with Judge Leonie Brinkema's temporary block pending a June 12 hearing (AP/NBC).
- NBC/CNBC: Senate Republicans tied progress on ICE/Border Patrol funding to White House action on the fund (NBC/CNBC).
- AP: Fund was set at about $1.776 billion from the Judgment Fund under Trump's IRS settlement (AP).
What's still developing
- Whether Trump orders a full scrap versus a court-driven pause.
- Fate of other IRS settlement terms shielding Trump family tax probes.
- Senate timing for homeland/immigration funding once the fund status is clear.