Trump Considers Pausing 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' After Bipartisan Criticism

Updated 6/1 at 3:39p PST

The Trump administration has reportedly signaled it'll drop plans to establish a $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund." The fund has been under review amid some bipartisan criticism and a temporary block in federal court.

Senate Pushback: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced on Monday, "This week, Senate Democrats will launch a coordinated effort to kill the slush fund before one cent goes out the door. And no matter what Republicans do, we will force them to vote. If Republicans return to reconciliation, we will be ready with amendments to shut the fund down. If they try to bury the issue, we will force them to the Senate floor. If they try to sneak behind appropriations, we will fight them there too."

Key Quotes: The Justice Department (DOJ) affirmed, "The Department remains extremely confident in the legality of the Anti-Weaponization Fund which is supported by ample precedent, including Obama-era settlements. We will not allow the policy preferences of judges to interfere with our efforts to provide restitution to victims of lawfare." Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence (R) called the fund "deeply offensive," during an NBC (Lean Left bias) interview. Schumer called it "one of the most corrupt schemes ever launched by a president."

For Context: Trump established the fund as part of a legal settlement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) last Tuesday. The Hill (Center) noted, "Potential beneficiaries of the fund could include those implicated in the Jan. 6, 2021 attacks on the Capitol and other Trump allies who appear to already be applying." The "Trump v. Internal Revenue Service" settlement also exempts Trump and his financial affiliates from all historically-related IRS audits.

Thirty-five former federal judges – both Democratic and Republican-appointees – filed a motion to reopen the case in response, arguing Trump's authority over the IRS is a conflict of interest. The judges also said the funding would be an unjust use of taxpayer dollars. US District Judge Leonie Brinkema, appointed by former President Bill Clinton, temporarily blocked the funds on Friday, and a hearing is scheduled for June 12th to potentially extend the block "until plaintiffs' pending motion has been resolved." Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) reportedly met to discuss the funding on Monday.

RELATED: Biden Admin 'Weaponized' the FACE Act: DOJ Report | AllSides 

Written by the AllSides staff (of humans). Learn more. Support our mission. Suggest an improvement to this summary.