Trump’s US$1.8 billion ‘weaponisation’ fund on hold amid Republican revolt
Senate Republicans opposed the fund, citing concerns over taxpayer-funded payouts to January 6 participants
US President Donald Trump’s nearly US$1.8 billion fund to compensate victims of alleged government “weaponisation” has been put on hold after the White House faced fierce opposition from Republicans in Congress, three sources familiar with the plan said on Monday.
The proposal was dropped as senators returned to Washington after their Memorial Day break and faced an impasse with the president over a US$72 billion bill to fund ICE and Border Patrol operations.
Speaking to reporters, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he made clear to the White House the fund needed to be killed. “They gave us an ultimatum,” a White House source said, describing how Republican lawmakers negotiated with the White House over the fund.
The White House’s goal was to speed passage of the funding package, said the source, who like other sources spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The Republican rebellion was an extraordinary act of defiance given Trump’s insistence on loyalty and his threats to back primary candidates against those who do not toe the line.