Trump Attacks Senate Republicans Over Blocked $1.8B Anti-Weaponization Fund
Yahoo News UK reported Friday that President Donald Trump publicly turned on Senate Republicans who refused to back his controversial $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, as Congress departed early for the Memorial Day holiday without resolving a sharp internal dispute.
Trump Singles Out Tillis on Truth Social
Trump reserved his sharpest criticism for North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, a retiring Republican who has repeatedly broken with the White House. In a post on Truth Social, Trump dismissed Tillis as weak and ineffective. He accused the senator of opposing the fund as personal payback after Trump declined to endorse his reelection bid. Trump said Tillis and allies were “screwing the Republican Party” by blocking the measure.
Tillis had made clear his opposition earlier in the week. He described the fund as “stupid on stilts” and raised the prospect that pardoned January 6 rioters could tap taxpayer money. Senator Mitch McConnell called the proposal “utterly stupid.” Senator Bill Cassidy labelled it a slush fund outright.
What the Fund Actually Does
The Anti-Weaponization Fund originated from a settlement arrangement between the Justice Department and the Trump family. The DOJ agreed to establish the $1.776 billion fund in exchange for Trump, his adult sons, and his business dropping a lawsuit against the IRS over his leaked tax returns. Trump and his immediate family would be barred from claiming relief directly. The fund would instead allow allies who claim they were unfairly prosecuted under the Biden administration to seek monetary compensation from the federal government.
Critics from both parties warn the structure would allow individuals convicted of violence against Capitol Police officers on January 6 to receive government payouts. Senator John Curtis told reporters Thursday he had no affection for the proposal at all.
A Broader Breakdown in Senate Relations
The Anti-Weaponization Fund was not the only flashpoint this week. Senate Republicans also pushed back on a separate $1 billion request for security upgrades tied to a renovation project at the White House. Trump has argued those funds are urgently needed for underground infrastructure and related security work. The dual disputes left the chamber deadlocked before lawmakers left Washington for the long weekend.
Senate Republicans had been expected to vote on formal funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement before the recess. ICE has operated without a confirmed funding allocation for months. That vote was shelved after the fund controversy consumed floor time.
Trump insisted on Truth Social that he personally sacrificed significant financial gain by forgoing a private legal settlement in order to create a mechanism that would deliver justice to others he says were mistreated.
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