UMVA has learned that a deep divide is emerging within Senate Republican ranks over President Donald Trump's new $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, with several lawmakers expressing concerns about the fund's origins and who would be eligible to receive its benefits.
The fund, announced by the Department of Justice earlier this week, was established as part of a deal between Trump and the Internal Revenue Service to drop his $10 billion lawsuit. However, the move has sparked outrage among some senators, who are questioning the wisdom of setting up a massive fund that could potentially benefit individuals convicted of assaulting police officers or trying to harm the president.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced tough questioning from senators on the issue, with Sen. Chris Van Hollen saying, "This is an outrageous, unprecedented slush fund that you have set up." When asked if individuals who assaulted Capitol Hill police officers would be eligible for the fund, Blanche responded that "anybody in this country will be eligible to apply," sparking concerns that criminals could receive taxpayer dollars.
The concern has driven several Senate Republicans to criticize the fund, with Sen. Thom Tillis saying, "Imagine that... a fund that is set up to compensate people who assaulted Capitol Police officers and other responding agencies... People that had pled guilty to physical acts against the president may actually be able to get compensated. How absurd does that sound coming out of my mouth?"
Senate Republicans are currently trying to pass a multibillion-dollar package to fund immigration operations, but the "anti-weaponization" fund and a $1 billion funding request for security enhancements for Trump's colossal ballroom are holding up the process. Few Republicans are actively supporting the fund, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune saying he's "not a big fan" of the fund and questioning its purpose.
Lawmakers are set to meet with Blanche behind closed doors to learn more about how the fund works, with some senators wanting Congress to get involved and impose restrictions on the fund. Sen. Bill Cassidy argued that the fund was adding to the nation's staggering national debt and that "if there needs to be a settlement, the administration should bring it to Congress to decide."
However, not all Senate Republicans share the same concerns, with Sen. Ron Johnson believing that there have been people "really harmed by the federal government" and that a fund to compensate them is justified. Johnson and some of his colleagues were targeted by a former Special Counsel's probe and had their phone records subpoenaed without notice.
