Even GOP Senators Think Trump’s IRS ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Fund Goes Too Far

Senate Republicans appeared poised to restrict President Donald Trump’s $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund in a $72 billion reconciliation package for immigration enforcement.

The Justice Department’s new fund would hand payouts to people alleging the legal system was “weaponized” against them. The fund is part of a settlement agreement between Trump and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to end a civil lawsuit filed in January over the leak of his tax returns by an independent contractor; opponents of the fund expressed concerns about it being used by Trump and his allies.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune told Punchbowl News Tuesday that senators wanted to place conditions on who can receive these fund payments, adding that he did not personally see a need for this fund. Other Republican senators also expressed their opposition.

“People are concerned about paying their mortgage or rent, affording groceries and paying for gas, not about putting together a $1.8 billion fund for the president and his allies to pay whomever they wish with no legal precedent or accountability,” Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy said.

“Imagine that — a fund that is set up to compensate people who assaulted Capitol Police officers,” Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said. “How absurd does that sound coming out of my mouth?”

Cassidy lost his primary race against Republican Louisiana Rep. Julia Letlow, who Trump endorsed. Trump backed his primary challenger in large part because Cassidy voted to impeach Trump on charges of “incitement of insurrection” in February 2021. Tillis likewise publicly faced Trump’s wrath and opted against running for reelection after Trump threatened to recruit a primary challenger against him.

Two U.S. Capitol Police officers filed a lawsuit Wednesday attempting to block the fund. They claimed that potential payouts to rioters from the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot could increase the risk of “vigilante violence” against them. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said during a Senate hearing Tuesday that the fund will be administered by a five member commission, including himself. He stated that the five-member commission would provide information on who is eligible to receive the funds.

Blanche attended meetings with undisclosed Republican senators on Thursday, including some who wanted to block the fund through the reconciliation package, Politico reported.

Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi of New York were drafting legislation to block the fund, Politico reported. Speaker Mike Johnson said during a press conference Wednesday that he did not have any information on whether Capitol rioters would receive this compensation.

Republicans were working to pass the immigration enforcement reconciliation package to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through 2029. The package was in response to the 76-day shutdown of DHS after Democrats refused to fund the agency following high profile shootings involving immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in January. ”

Trump also wanted to use the spending package to set aside $1 billion for Secret Service security enhancements during the White House ballroom construction. However, the Senate was expected to not provide the funds for the ballroom.

Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough stripped out the ballroom funds from the package in a Saturday ruling, stating that it violated the Byrd Rule. She also struck out other provisions related to ICE, CBP and DHS funding on Friday, requiring Senate Republicans to rework the language.