President Donald Trump introduced new uncertainty regarding the ‘anti-weaponization’ fund on Wednesday, following acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s announcement that the Justice Department would cease pursuing the $1.8 billion fund, which has faced bipartisan criticism.
In the Oval Office, when asked if the fund was dead or merely on hold, Trump replied, “I’d have to ask the lawyers. I don’t know.” He expressed his support by stating, “The weaponization fund, as far as I’m concerned, was a beautiful thing. I love it. I think it’s so important.”
Earlier, the Trump administration signaled plans to back off from establishing the fund after a federal judge temporarily blocked it. The Justice Department issued a statement noting it “disagrees strongly with the decision” but will “abide by the Court’s ruling.” On Tuesday, Blanche shared at a congressional hearing that the department was “not moving forward with the fund, period,” though he declined to provide a written commitment.
Following Trump’s Wednesday remarks, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., responded on X by saying, “This is EXACTLY why @SenateDems will be forcing a vote this week to outlaw Trump’s MAGA slush fund permanently.”
The Justice Department created the fund last month as part of a settlement between the IRS, Trump, the Trump Organization, and his sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. This came after Trump dropped a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax documents.
Both Democrats and Republicans oppose the fund, which aims to compensate Trump allies described as “victims of lawfare and weaponization.” Initially, administration officials did not rule out providing compensation to pardoned Jan. 6 rioters, who were convicted of attacking police at the Capitol.
Even before Trump’s comments, several congressional Democrats emphasized the need for legislation to permanently dismantle the fund. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., declared on X, “Not taking Blanche’s word for it. Congress must kill this corrupt ‘anti-weaponization’ slush fund so every Republican is on record.”