WASHINGTON — The Trump administration signaled to Congress on Monday that it plans to back off the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund that the Justice Department opened to send money to allies of President Donald Trump, who he claims were “victims of lawfare and weaponization.”
According to two sources familiar with the matter, the move comes after rare backlash from Senate Republicans, who threatened to join Democrats to try and block the fund.
In a statement, the Justice Department cited a federal judge’s ruling Friday that blocked the fund temporarily, saying it “disagrees strongly” but “will abide by the Court’s ruling.”
The judge had issued a temporary order that prevented the Justice Department from taking any further action on the fund until the court thoroughly examined both parties’ arguments. This order did not permanently block the fund, and a hearing was scheduled for June 12.
Trump has not committed publicly to terminating the fund, but told ABC News’ Jonathan Karl in a phone call, “We are subject to the courts.”
“At this moment, that’s what it is,” Trump said, adding, “If a court doesn’t allow it, and right now a court has it held up, what can you do?”
Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida told to reporters Monday night that a White House official told him the fund would be “dropped.”
“I have talked to the White House. What they told me is they’re dropping it,” Scott said.
However, other top Republicans who regularly align with Trump say they need more than just the word from the White House, they want concrete actions. Republicans control a 53-47 majority in the Senate and an even narrower 217-212 margin in the House. Numerous Republicans have openly criticized the $1.8 billion fund.
“The only thing that’s going to solve this problem, to get immigration funded and law enforced, is for the president to do away with the weaponization fund,” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said.
Democrats say plan to go all out to stop the fund from sending any money and vow to put their GOP colleagues on record about the matter.
“This week, Senate Democrats will push legislation to ban this slush fund and ensure no president can ever do this again,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement. “Trump’s word is nowhere near enough.”
