Trump reportedly backs away from “anti-weaponization” fund after GOP opposition – National & International News
Trump reportedly backs away from “anti-weaponization” fund after GOP opposition and court order
Today, the Department of Justice issued a statement saying that while the department “disagrees strongly” with a court order temporarily blocking the Trump administration’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, the department will abide by the order. Reporting based on sources both from the White House and Capitol Hill suggest that the Trump administration is backing away from its push for the fund entirely after a backlash against it from Congressional Republicans.
The Trump administration sought to create the fund after Trump agreed to drop a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS. The fund was supposed to compensate people that Trump considers to be “victims of lawfare and weaponization” of the Department of Justice during the Biden administration.
Several problems arose, including a lack of transparency as to how funds would be awarded and a murky policy around disclosing who would be receiving funds. Most troubling to both Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill was the possibility that Trump supporters who committed violent crimes during the January 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol could receive taxpayer-funded payouts through the fund.
Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters he had “made my views very clear” to the White House that it would be best if they “shut it down,” referring to the fund.
Other news of note
Iran War latest: Trump sends back Iranian peace proposal for changes and two sides exchange fire once again. Iran backs out of talks due to Israel’s intensifying aggression in Lebanon. Trump and Lebanon now say there’s a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel but attacks are continuing.
America250 event: After most of the performers drop out of event, Trump tells aids to “cancel it”. Now organizers say he will headline it.
UK revokes travel visas of Turkish-American commentators Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker after Zionist groups called for their ban over criticism of Israel.
Ebola outbreak in East Africa is “likely far worse” than figures suggest, says aid group.
