Senate Republicans Clash with DOJ Over $1.8 Billion Anti-Weaponization Fund

Senate Republicans confronted Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Thursday over the Justice Department’s newly announced $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund,” sparking a heated and contentious meeting, according to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. Cruz described the two-hour closed-door session as “one of the roughest meetings I’ve seen in my entire time in the Senate,” with multiple senators yelling and accusing the administration of self-dealing.

The fund was announced Monday after former President Donald Trump said he would drop his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and other claims related to a 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago and allegations tied to the 2016 election. Justice Department officials said the fund would involve a “systematic process to hear and redress claims of others who suffered weaponization and lawfare.”

Cruz said about 45 of the 53 Senate Republicans attended the meeting, with at least half expressing strong opposition and readiness to side with Democrats on amendments targeting the fund. “If the judgment fund had not been announced this week, we would be right now on the Senate floor, we’d be funding border security,” Cruz added.

During the meeting, Blanche reportedly assured senators that individuals who assaulted police officers or committed violent acts during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot would not be eligible for payouts. Cruz recalled Blanche was adamant, saying not just “no,” but “hell no.” The senator also said Blanche indicated that Trump and his family would not be eligible, though this was not explicitly confirmed by the Justice Department.

Despite these assurances, several Republican senators voiced skepticism and frustration. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., called the fund a “payout pot for punks,” while Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., criticized the administration for proceeding without congressional input. Democrats have also condemned the fund, with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., writing in a letter to Blanche that the notion of compensating rioters is “absurd and offensive.”

The controversy over the fund contributed to the cancellation of votes on a separate Republican bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, which was expected to proceed Thursday night. Cruz warned that if the administration does not modify the fund by the time the Senate returns June 1, “they’ve got a full-on revolt in the Senate.”

In response to the fund’s announcement, bipartisan legislation was introduced in the House by Reps. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., to prohibit federal money from being used for the fund. Fitzpatrick also sent a letter to Blanche demanding clarity on the fund’s legal authority and eligibility criteria.

A Justice Department spokesperson said the meeting included “a healthy discussion on the settlement” and emphasized that the fund is unrelated to the reconciliation package funding border security. “[Blanche] made clear that the Anti-Weaponization Fund announced Monday has nothing to do with reconciliation, indeed not a single dime from the money the President is seeking in reconciliation would go toward anything having to do with the Fund,” the spokesperson said. “We will continue to work with the Senate to get critical reconciliation funds approved.”