Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY) are set to introduce a bill to kill President Donald Trump’s $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, after blowback on Capitol Hill.
The bill comes as congressional Democrats and Republicans have criticized the fund’s broad eligibility criteria. Specifically, lawmakers are concerned that payouts could go to individuals who were convicted or accused of attacking U.S. Capitol Police on Jan. 6, 2021.
Recommended Stories
“No federal funds may be used for the payment of any claim submitted to the Anti-Weaponization Fund, established by the Department of Justice on May 18, 2026,” the bill, reported by Punchbowl News, reads.
A handful of House Republicans told the Washington Examiner on Wednesday that they did not want the fund to move forward.
TRUMP’S REVENGE TOUR COULD DIMINISH CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR HIS AGENDA
The Justice Department announced the fund on Monday as part of a settlement agreement with Trump over his lawsuit against the IRS. In exchange for dropping the suit, the Justice Department agreed to establish the fund to compensate victims of federal “weaponization and lawfare.”
Compensation will be paid out by the DOJ’s 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’s second administration.
Hailey Bullis contributed to this article.
