Uncertainty Looms Over ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Fund After Trump’s Remarks

President Donald Trump raised new doubts about the status of the “anti-weaponization” fund on Wednesday. This came a day after acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the Justice Department would stop supporting the $1.8 billion fund. The fund has received criticism from both parties.

When questioned in the Oval Office about whether the fund was terminated or merely paused, Trump said, “I’d have to ask the lawyers. I don’t know.” He added, “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 would step back from setting up the fund after a federal judge temporarily halted it. The Justice Department declared, “while it disagrees strongly with the decision, it will abide by the Court’s ruling.” On Tuesday, Blanche confirmed at a congressional hearing that the Justice Department was “not moving forward with the fund, period,” but he did not make a written commitment.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche at a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing in Washington on Tuesday.
Daniel Heuer / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Following Trump’s comments on Wednesday, which were his first public statements about the fund since the Justice Department’s court filing, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote on X, “This is EXACTLY why @SenateDems will be forcing a vote this week to outlaw Trump’s MAGA slush fund permanently.”

The Justice Department established the fund last month as part of a settlement involving the IRS, Trump, the Trump Organization, and two of his sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. This settlement followed Trump’s agreement to drop a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS regarding leaked tax documents.

Both Democrats and Republicans have disapproved of the fund. It was aimed at compensating Trump allies who were seen as “victims of lawfare and weaponization.” In early defenses, officials did not rule out extending compensation to Jan. 6 rioters pardoned by Trump who attacked police at the Capitol.

Before Trump’s remarks on Wednesday, several congressional Democrats called for legislation to permanently shut down the fund. “Not taking Blanche’s word for it,” Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., wrote on X. “Congress must kill this corrupt ‘anti-weaponization’ slush fund so every Republican is on record.”