Republican senators privately urge White House to scrap $1.776 billion fund
More than a dozen Republican senators have asked White House aides to eliminate the Justice Department fund. The fund would allow payments to people who say they were unfairly prosecuted under prior administrations.
pbs.orgMore than a dozen Republican senators have privately told White House aides they want the Justice Department to eliminate a $1.776 billion fund created to compensate people who say they were unfairly prosecuted under the Obama and Biden administrations.
The fund, called the Anti-Weaponization Fund, was announced as part of a settlement in a lawsuit involving the president, his adult sons, and his business against the IRS. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the fund.
Senate reaction Senators Lindsey Graham, Thom Tillis, Mitch McConnell, and John Curtis have publicly or privately criticized the fund. " Senator Ted Cruz said Republican colleagues were "screaming" at Blanche during a closed-door meeting last week. Cruz said at least half of roughly 45 senators present expressed strong opposition.
Legal and legislative effects The fund has already faced legal challenges.
On Friday, a federal judge ordered the administration to stop moving forward with the fund until she decides whether to extend the pause. Opposition to the fund delayed a Senate vote on immigration enforcement funding. The Independent has asked Graham's office, the White House, and the Justice Department for comment.
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- Independent reported: The Justice Department created an Anti-Weaponization Fund valued at $1.776 billion.
- Independent reported: A federal judge ordered the administration to cease moving forward with the fund until she determines whether it should be paused longer.
- Independent reported: The creation of the fund delayed a Senate vote to fund the president’s immigration enforcement agenda.
- Independent reported: The fund was created as a settlement of a lawsuit between Trump, his adult sons, and his business against the IRS.
- Independent reported: More than a dozen Republican senators asked President Donald Trump’s top aides to eliminate the fund.
- Independent reported: Some of the president’s aides have considered eliminating the fund in exchange for passage of immigration enforcement funding.
- Independent reported: Senator Ted Cruz stated that Republican colleagues were “screaming” at Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche during a closed-door meeting about the fund.
- Independent reported: Trump has told allies he understands the problem with the fund but has not agreed to drop it.
- Independent reported: Senator Lindsey Graham privately urged Trump to drop the fund.
- Independent reported: Cruz stated on his podcast that approximately 45 senators were in the room and at least half were blasting the attorney general.
- Independent reported: Senator Thom Tillis called the fund “stupid on stilts.”
- Independent reported: Senator Mitch McConnell deemed the fund “Utterly stupid, morally wrong.”
- Independent reported: Senator John Curtis declared he did not like the fund “at all.”
- Independent reported: The Wall Street Journal reported on the private conversations and concerns about the fund.
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