‘Corruption in broad daylight’: Democrats and some Republicans decry anti-weaponization fund

Supervising Producer

WASHINGTON —

The Justice Department’s proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, which is widely believed to benefit Trump supporters, is facing legal and political challenges.

The fund has been put on hold as it faces multiple court challenges. A judge in Virginia stopped the Justice Department from issuing payments until at least next Friday. The Justice Department says it disagrees with the ruling, but will comply.

The Justice Department rolled out the program two weeks ago aimed to compensate individuals who claim they were politically targeted by the government. Though the fund is open to all, some have suggested it could benefit supporters of the president and those connected to his now-dismissed criminal cases to overturn the 2020 election and steal classified documents. Some Republicans are questioning its use, particularly for those prosecuted for their involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. On the first day of his second term, Trump pardoned or commuted all defendants connected to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, several hundred in all.

Democrats have vowed to launch an effort to kill the program. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the fund on Monday “corruption in broad daylight.”

Schumer says he’ll offer amendments to an unrelated immigration enforcement funding bill, if it comes up for a vote, in an effort to restrict or shut down the fund. Several Senate Democrats introduced a similar bill on Monday that would end the fund.

On the Republican side, concerns are growing about who would receive the money. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Monday he hoped the White House would move to drop the effort completely.

“I do think the best way to handle it is if the administration decides to shut it down themselves,” Thune said.

A source familiar with Thune’s thinking says he won’t advance an unrelated Republican-only bill to fund the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts until the White House resolves lawmakers’ issues with the anti-weaponization fund. Some Republicans have separately spoken against efforts to add $1 billion in taxpayer funds for White House security improvements as part of the president’s ballroom project.

Later today, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously served as President Trump’s personal attorney, is expected to testify in front of lawmakers on Tuesday afternoon, where he will likely be questioned about the fund.

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