{"id":2605357,"date":"2026-05-21T07:44:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:44:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trumps-anti-weaponization-fund-gets-cold-reception-from-gop-on-capitol-hill\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T07:46:44","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:46:44","slug":"trumps-anti-weaponization-fund-gets-cold-reception-from-gop-on-capitol-hill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trumps-anti-weaponization-fund-gets-cold-reception-from-gop-on-capitol-hill\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump&#8217;s &#8216;anti-weaponization&#8217; fund gets cold reception from GOP on Capitol Hill"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrumps-anti-weaponization-fund-gets-cold-reception-from-gop-on-capitol-hill%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2605357&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Republicans on Capitol Hill are reacting skeptically to the Trump management\u2019s newly announced $1.776 billion \u201canti-weaponization\u201d fund. senate GOP lawmakers are considering adding guardrails through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/border-infighting-consumes-democrats\/\" title=\"Border Infighting Consumes Democrats\">party-line budget bill<\/a>, while House centrists and Republicans raised concerns about both the fund\u2019s creation and how it will be funded.<\/p>\n<p>Members such as Rep. Kevin Kiley called the arrangement unusual because it could allow private taxpayer payouts without a clear public benefit, arguing it sidelines Congress and the judiciary. rep. Don Bacon likewise said Congress should be able to review it, framing the deal as the president negotiating with himself over taxpayer money. Others, including Sen. Bill Cassidy,said any settlement should be brought to Congress for a decision.<\/p>\n<p>The fund was announced by the Department of Justice as part of a settlement agreement related to Trump\u2019s lawsuit against the IRS, with compensation planned to come from the DOJ\u2019s judgment fund-claims ending in December 2028. The White House said neither Trump nor his family would seek payouts.<\/p>\n<p>legal challenges are also underway: officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the plan, arguing it would compensate those involved in the riot.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"339\">Trump administration<\/a>\u2019s $1.<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >776 billion taxpayer-funded \u201canti-weaponization\u201d fund<\/a> is getting a frosty reception from <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"240\">Republicans<\/a> on Capitol Hill. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a> Republicans are exploring ways to impose guardrails on the fund, including inserting language into the GOP\u2019s party-line budget bill, a source familiar confirmed. Meanwhile, in the House, centrist members expressed concerns about the fund\u2019s creation and how it is being paid for.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4576576\/house-parental-consent-requirement-schools-gender-identity-pronouns\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>198 Democrats oppose requiring parental consent for student gender changes in schools<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4576842\/affordability-looms-four-pivotal-pennsylvania-house-contests\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Affordability looms large over four pivotal Pennsylvania House contests<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4576885\/house-freedom-caucus-housing-bill-trump-primary-election-dominance\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>House Freedom Caucus rebels against housing bill despite Trump\u2019s primary election dominance<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-CA), who caucuses with Republicans, told the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>he did not want to see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/shameless-scandal-plagued-hunter-biden-moves-to-create-legal-defense-fund\/\" title=\"Hunter Biden, who has been involved in several scandals, is creating a legal defense fund.\">fund move forward<\/a>, and Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) said the fund was \u201cnot right.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s incredibly strange, very unusual, probably unprecedented,\u201d Kiley said. \u201cIt is, you know, setting up a system for unilaterally making private payouts of taxpayer dollars with no discernible public benefit.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kiley, a member of the Judiciary Committee, voted with all Democrats during a committee vote to subpoena several Trump officials who helped set up the account, including acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. The vote failed 18-17.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bacon told the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>that while he did not know the legal or legislative recourse regarding the fund, he would welcome the option for Congress to look into it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s the president negotiating with himself over taxpayer money because he\u2019s in charge of the defendants,\u201d Bacon said. \u201cBut he\u2019s the plaintiff, so he needs an arbitrator or something, or a neutral judge or something that looks impartial.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fund was announced by the Department of Justice on Monday as part of a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/justice-department-announces-anti-weaponization-fund\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/justice-department-announces-anti-weaponization-fund\">settlement agreement<\/a> with President Donald Trump over his lawsuit against the IRS. In exchange for dropping the suit, the DOJ agreed to establish the fund to compensate victims of federal \u201cweaponization and lawfare.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compensation will be paid out by the DOJ\u2019s judgment fund, which is appropriated by Congress to settle cases. Claims will not be processed after December 2028, one month before the end of Trump\u2019s second administration. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The White House said neither Trump nor members of his family would seek payouts from the program.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), who lost his primary race over the weekend to his Trump-backed opponent, said in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/senbillcassidy\/status\/2057246799107424611?s=46&#038;t=vgOs3L9Jdw1koLNS5Z1G3g\">statement<\/a> on X that if there needs to be a settlement, the Trump administration \u201cshould bring it to Congress to decide.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPeople 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,\u201d Cassidy posted. \u201cThis is adding to our national debt.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kiley also criticized the move from the Trump administration as taking both the judicial and legislative branches out of the equation entirely by creating the fund without consulting either. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s another example of how you know Congress needs to protect its constitutional authority,\u201d Kiley said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/fitzpatrick.house.gov\/2026\/5\/fitzpatrick-calls-on-doj-to-provide-answers-on-newly-announced-1-8-billion-anti-weaponization-fund\">sent a letter<\/a> to Blanche Wednesday requesting more information about the fund by June 1, including whether those guilty of violent crimes are eligible and examples of prior administrations establishing similar funds. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fitzpatrick told reporters that he wanted to identify where the funds are coming from in order to see what options and jurisdiction Congress has over the account. The Pennsylvania Republican <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MacFarlaneNews\/status\/2057149559982207239?s=20\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MacFarlaneNews\/status\/2057149559982207239?s=20\">told<\/a> media outlet MeidasTouch earlier on Wednesday that he was going to try to \u201ckill\u201d the fund, calling it \u201cbad news.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Law enforcement officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot filed a lawsuit Wednesday seeking to halt the plan, arguing the fund would be used to compensate the individuals who organized and participated in the riot.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4577358\/gop-weighs-scrubbing-security-funding-immigration-bill\/\"><strong>GOP WEIGHS DITCHING WHITE HOUSE SECURITY FUNDING OVER BALLROOM<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lawsuit, filed by former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn and Metropolitan Police Department officer Daniel Hodges, advocates the dissolution of the fund, saying it would \u201cdirectly finance the violent operations of rioters, paramilitaries, and their supporters who threatened Plaintiffs\u2019 lives that day, and continue to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dunn is running for the Democratic nomination to represent Maryland\u2019s 5th Congressional District.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Lauren Green and Naomi Lim contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Republicans on Capitol Hill are skeptical of the U.S. $1.776 billion taxpayer \u201canti-weaponization\u201d fund, seeking guardrails or scrutiny<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2912,"featured_media":2605358,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-collage-d6wz9navx-1779322784911-e1779330511382.jpg?1779308622&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[33926,32592,6203,3634],"class_list":["post-2605357","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-campaign-finance","tag-capitol-hill","tag-gop","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-collage-d6wz9navx-1779322784911-e1779330511382.jpg?1779308622&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2605357","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2912"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2605357"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2605357\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2605366,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2605357\/revisions\/2605366"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2605358"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2605357"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2605357"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2605357"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}