President Donald Trump introduced new doubts regarding the fate of the “anti-weaponization” fund on Wednesday. This came after Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the Justice Department would halt its pursuit of the $1.8 billion fund, which had generated bipartisan criticism.
In response to inquiries about the fund’s status in the Oval Office, Trump said, “I’d have to ask the lawyers. I don’t know.” He continued by expressing his support, stating, “The weaponization fund, as far as I’m concerned, was a beautiful thing. I love it. I think it’s so important.”
The Trump administration indicated on Monday that it was retreating from establishing the fund after a federal judge issued a temporary block. The Justice Department, despite disagreeing with the court’s decision, stated that it would comply.
During a congressional hearing on Tuesday, Blanche confirmed that the Justice Department was “not moving forward with the fund, period.” However, he did not offer a written confirmation.
“This is EXACTLY why @SenateDems will be forcing a vote this week to outlaw Trump’s MAGA slush fund permanently,”tweeted Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., following Trump’s remarks on Wednesday.
The Justice Department had established the fund the previous month as part of a settlement involving the IRS, Trump, the Trump Organization, and his sons — Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. This came after Trump withdrew a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS related to his leaked tax documents.
Both parties have criticized the fund, which aims to reimburse Trump allies deemed “victims of lawfare and weaponization.” Initially, officials did not exclude compensating Jan. 6 rioters pardoned by Trump, who were convicted of attacking police during the Capitol events.
Even before Trump’s latest comments, several congressional Democrats stressed the need for legislation to permanently stop the fund. Senator Ed Markey, D-Mass., emphasized on social media, “Not taking Blanche’s word for it. Congress must kill this corrupt ‘anti-weaponization’ slush fund so every Republican is on record.”