Key takeaways:
- The $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund was established following President Trump's settlement with the IRS related to his lawsuit over leaked tax returns.
- A federal judge in Virginia temporarily blocked the fund, and a Miami judge reopened the case after 35 judges submitted an amicus brief calling the fund a 'fraud on the Court.'
- Democratic senators introduced the Drain the Slush Fund Act to shut down the fund and prevent payments to Trump, his allies, and those convicted of crimes or related to January 6.
Senate Democrats are intensifying efforts to block the Trump administration’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund,” which is part of a settlement related to President Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax returns. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer outlined a strategy in a “Dear Colleague” letter, pledging to use floor action, amendments, and oversight to prevent any disbursement from the fund.
“If Republicans return to reconciliation, we will be ready with amendments to shut the fund down,” Schumer wrote. “If they try to bury the issue, we will force them to the Senate floor. If they try to sneak behind appropriations, we will fight them there too. There will be no escape hatch. No fake guardrails or backroom promises to hide behind.”
The fund, totaling approximately $1.776 billion, was established following a settlement between President Trump and the federal government to resolve his lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department concerning the leak of his tax returns. The Justice Department has expressed confidence in the legality of the fund, citing precedent including Obama-era settlements.
Legal challenges have arisen. Last week, a federal judge in Virginia temporarily blocked the Justice Department from advancing the fund after a lawsuit was filed by a January 6th prosecutor and others. Additionally, a Miami federal judge, who initially oversaw the case, made the rare move of reopening it and requested further briefing after 35 judges submitted an amicus brief calling the fund a “fraud on the Court.”
In response, three Democratic senators—Adam Schiff of California, Mark Kelly of Arizona, and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan—introduced the “Drain the Slush Fund Act.” The bill aims to shut down the fund and prevent taxpayer dollars from being paid to President Trump, his allies, and those convicted of crimes or related to the January 6 attack. It would also bar settlements or payments stemming from lawsuits brought by the president or vice president, with provisions retroactive to January 20, 2025.
“As Republicans return to Washington to provide further funding for this and other mistaken priorities, we’re going to hold them accountable,” Schiff said. “And as Senators who have actually seen their government weaponized against them, we want to make it clear: We will not allow a single payout from this so-called weaponization fund to be paid.”
The fund has derailed Republican efforts to pass legislation to fund immigration enforcement agencies such as ICE and Customs and Border Protection through Trump’s term. A contentious closed-door briefing last month between Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Senate Republicans left GOP leaders concerned about the fund’s scope and size. Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged the need for changes to secure votes.
Blanche will return to Capitol Hill this week for an oversight hearing before a House Appropriations subcommittee. Despite potential Republican attempts to add guardrails to the fund, Schumer emphasized that Democrats will not accept partial measures.
“No matter what Republicans do, we will force them to vote,” Schumer said, signaling determined opposition to the fund’s continuation.
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