{"id":2606569,"date":"2026-05-25T06:39:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T10:39:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-senators-spurn-payouts-from-anti-weaponization-fund\/"},"modified":"2026-05-25T06:41:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T10:41:58","slug":"gop-senators-spurn-payouts-from-anti-weaponization-fund","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-senators-spurn-payouts-from-anti-weaponization-fund\/","title":{"rendered":"GOP senators spurn payouts from anti-weaponization fund"},"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\">14<\/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%2Fgop-senators-spurn-payouts-from-anti-weaponization-fund%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=2606569&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>The Trump administration\u2019s proposed $1.<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >776 billion \u201canti-weaponization\u201d fund<\/a> is designed to compensate GOP lawmakers whose phone records were allegedly targeted through the Justice Department\u2019s \u201clawfare and weaponization\u201d framing, including those connected to the \u201cArctic Frost\u201d examination. The idea is presenting a way for senators to seek payouts, but many Republicans resist the concept-both on principle and because past similar proposals were rejected by Congress.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Rick Scott said he personally doesn\u2019t want compensation and pointed to separate efforts he\u2019s making to pursue damages over a leak of his tax returns. Sen. Ron Johnson defended the fund as a deterrent to government abuse but said he wouldn\u2019t apply himself.Even lawmakers supportive of the rationale have acknowledged the political backlash created by the fund\u2019s timing, including broader tensions around Trump\u2019s conflicts with sitting Republicans and negotiations over an immigration reconciliation bill that includes security funding for the president\u2019s future East Wing ballroom.<\/p>\n<p>Citing Truth Social, Trump argues he traded away a major settlement tied to his own IRS-related litigation to create the program. Sen. Lindsey Graham, also subpoenaed and a strong proponent of payments, has faced rebuffs in attempts to attach large payout provisions to other legislation after House Republicans objected.sen. Rand Paul criticized the notion of unequal treatment for elected officials,stressing that justice should be the same for everyone.  <\/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 Trump administration\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/finance\/4577926\/todd-blanche-lobby-gop-senators-on-antiweaponization-fund\/\">$1.776 billion \u201canti-weaponization\u201d fund<\/a> could be a boon for GOP senators targeted by a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3891534\/thune-senate-gop-backlash-arctic-frost-surveillance-provision\/\">Biden-era investigation<\/a>, but some say they still do not want the taxpayer payout.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Settlements for those the Justice Department deems were victims of \u201clawfare and weaponization\u201d under past administrations is the latest attempt to provide financial compensation to Republican senators whose phone records were tapped in the \u201cArctic Frost\u201d investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election.<\/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\/senate\/4580223\/jim-banks-stefanik-intelligence-chief\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump ally Jim Banks floats Stefanik as next intelligence chief<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4579903\/thom-tillis-trump-stupid-stuff-hurting-gop\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Thom Tillis claps back at Trump over \u2018stupid stuff\u2019 hurting GOP<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4579245\/trump-claims-tillis-quit-reelection-bid-after-trump-refused-endorsement\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump claims Tillis \u2018quit\u2019 reelection bid after Trump refused endorsement<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the Republican-controlled Congress has already rejected similar past proposals. The DOJ\u2019s fund is a venture from the administration, not directly tied to Congress, yet outrage from GOP senators <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4578862\/gop-caps-turbulent-week-points-finger-white-house-bill-blunder\/\">tanked the upper chamber\u2019s plans<\/a> to advance a Trump-inspired $70 billion immigration enforcement bill. The DOJ money could benefit 2021 Capitol rioters, creating a major friction point.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don\u2019t need any compensation for that,\u201d Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), whose phone records were subpoenaed, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scott declined to elaborate whether it was appropriate for other lawmakers to seek compensation, should they choose to do so, but noted that he is <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/03\/24\/rick-scott-sues-booz-allen-00842416\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/03\/24\/rick-scott-sues-booz-allen-00842416\">seeking damages from government consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton<\/a> over a leak of his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/treasury-watchdog-agrees-to-investigate-status-of-tax-cheaters-working-for-irs\/\" title=\"Treasury Watchdog Agrees to Investigate Status of Tax Cheaters Working for IRS\">confidential tax returns<\/a>. The DOJ fund was created as part of a settlement resolving Trump\u2019s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service for leaking his tax records.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), another lawmaker whose phone records were secretly seized and revealed last fall by a Senate investigation into \u201cArctic Frost,\u201d defended the fund as a deterrent against \u201cthe federal government from abusing its citizens.\u201d Still, Johnson said he personally \u201cwould not apply\u201d for a settlement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A DOJ memo with details of how the fund would operate was circulated to senators as part of its lobbying effort to salvage deteriorating negotiations over the GOP\u2019s immigration reconciliation bill. It lists \u201cSenators whose phone records were subpoenaed\u201d under a section laying out who could benefit. Some current and former House Republicans\u2019 phone records were also targeted and would likely be eligible. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But even those such as Johnson who have offered favorable rhetoric toward the fund have <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/mkraju\/status\/2057524067725348919?s=20\">acknowledged<\/a> the political toxicity of the timing. There were underlying tensions from Trump\u2019s revenge tour against incumbent senators and quarrels over the reconciliation bill\u2019s $220 million in security funding for the president\u2019s yet-to-be-built East Wing ballroom.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump laid out his latest defense of the DOJ fund on Friday, contending he \u201cgave up\u201d a large settlement from the federal government in his IRS litigation in exchange for establishing the $1.776 billion program. The figure is based on America\u2019s founding 250 years ago.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), joined by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), right, holds a news conference in his Capitol Hill office in Washington on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo\/J. Scott Applewhite)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI gave up a lot of money in allowing the just announced Anti-Weaponization Fund to go forward,\u201d Trump wrote on Truth Social. \u201cI could have settled my case, including the illegal release of my Tax Returns and the equally illegal BREAK IN of Mar-a-Lago, for an absolute fortune. Instead, I am helping others, who were so badly abused by an evil, corrupt, and weaponized Biden Administration, receive, at long last, JUSTICE! President DJT.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a close Trump ally, also had his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/some-of-the-ex-intel-officials-who-signed-biden-laptop-letter-donated-to-biden-other-dem-causes\/\" title=\"Some of the Ex-Intel Officials Who Signed Biden Laptop Letter Donated to Biden, Other Dem Causes\">phone records subpoenaed<\/a> and has been the fiercest advocate on Capitol Hill to allow lawmakers like him to seek reparations. But efforts in recent months to tuck provisions into broader legislation for upwards of $500,000 payouts per lawmaker were rebuffed over uproar from House Republicans. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3893002\/lindsey-graham-eyes-big-payday-phone-data-seizure\/\">Graham\u2019s rationale<\/a> has centered on making it \u201churt as much as I possibly can\u201d for the federal government \u201cso nobody will do this again.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4578862\/gop-caps-turbulent-week-points-finger-white-house-bill-blunder\/\">GOP CAPS TURBULENT WEEK, POINTING FINGER AT WHITE HOUSE FOR IMMIGRATION BILL BLUNDER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) suggested the notion of another attempted payout was clearly an unpopular one, having already litigated the subject in the court of public opinion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think things need to be the same for everyone,\u201d Paul told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cJustice is when things occur that aren\u2019t different for you because you\u2019re in elected office.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>David Sivak contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Trump anti-weaponization fund may help targeted GOP senators, yet some oppose taxpayer payouts<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2606570,"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\/AP25253569941080.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[6203,77222,3740],"class_list":["post-2606569","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-gop","tag-payouts-2","tag-senate"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP25253569941080.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2606569","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\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2606569"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2606569\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2606573,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2606569\/revisions\/2606573"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2606570"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2606569"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2606569"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2606569"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}