President Donald Trump cast doubt Wednesday on whether the Justice Department had truly abandoned its controversial 1.8 billion dollar "anti-weaponization" fund, undercutting his acting attorney general's declaration just a day earlier that the initiative was finished.
When asked in the Oval Office if the fund was dead or merely suspended, Trump offered an uncertain response. "I'd have to ask the lawyers. I don't know," he said. But he then pivoted to express affection for the program itself. "The weaponization fund, as far as I'm concerned, was a beautiful thing," Trump told reporters. "I love it. I think it's so important."
The comments immediately reignited tensions over the fund, which was created last month as part of a settlement between the IRS and Trump following his agreement to drop a 10 billion dollar lawsuit over his leaked tax documents. The settlement also involved the Trump Organization and two of the president's sons.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche had stated Tuesday during a congressional hearing that the Justice Department was "not moving forward with the fund, period." That pronouncement came after a federal judge temporarily blocked the fund's creation on Monday, and the Justice Department said it would comply with the court's order despite disagreeing with it.
Trump's wavering comments provided fresh ammunition for Democrats who view the fund as a political payoff scheme. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer quickly responded on X, announcing that Senate Democrats would force a vote this week to permanently outlaw what he called Trump's "MAGA slush fund."
The fund was designed to compensate Trump allies characterized as "victims of lawfare and weaponization." Administration officials previously declined to rule out providing compensation to January 6 rioters whom Trump had pardoned, including those convicted of violently attacking police officers during the Capitol riot. That possibility sparked bipartisan criticism.
Senator Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, expressed skepticism about Blanche's assurances on Tuesday, writing that Congress must move to eliminate the fund so lawmakers would be forced to take a public position. "Not taking Blanche's word for it," Markey posted. "Congress must kill this corrupt 'anti-weaponization' slush fund so every Republican is on record."
Both parties have condemned the fund since its announcement, though their objections stem from different concerns. Democrats view it as inappropriate compensation for Trump allies, while some Republicans have questioned its necessity and scope.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Trump's wiggling on this reveals the real problem: even his own team can't seem to agree on whether this thing is actually gone, and that's the sort of legal and political chaos that usually precedes another court battle."
Comments