Trump Administration Scraps $8 Billion Anti-Weaponization Fund After Congressional Oversight Concerns

The Justice Department has permanently abandoned its plan to establish an $8 billion fund to compensate victims of alleged government weaponization. Officials told lawmakers during a budget hearing that the department is not moving forward with the fund. The announcement came after Republican lawmakers had threatened to block separate legislation unless the fund included stricter oversight.

Background on the Fund Earlier, officials had defended the plan as a way to address alleged weaponization of the justice system. The fund had drawn criticism from the president's opponents, who described it as a potential "slush fund." Republican leaders said the testimony may allow them to advance stalled immigration funding legislation in the Senate.

A separate agreement barring the IRS from pursuing past tax claims against the president, family members and businesses will stay in effect. "Nothing has changed" regarding the tax protections, Blanche said during the hearing.

Lawmaker Reactions Democratic Rep.

Grace Meng pressed for documentation to build public trust. Blanche replied that he was stating the department's position directly. He declined to commit to issuing a written memo rescinding the original settlement. >"We are not moving forward with the fund, period." — Blanche, during the hearing on the department's budget request (Washington Times)