Republicans lash out over on $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund

Congressional Republicans are lashing out over a $1.8 billion fund created by the Department of Justice this week to give payouts to those who claim to have been the target of a “weaponized” government.

Discontent over the fund contributed to senators abruptly deciding to leave town for the Memorial Day weekend rather than passing a party-line budget reconciliation bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol — blowing past the June 1 deadline that President Trump set for the bill. Some Republicans are openly eyeing ways to “kill” the fund. 

The Department of Justice on Monday created the $1.776 billion fund as part of a settlement after Trump sued the Internal Revenue Service for $10 billion over the leaking of his tax returns. Individuals who believe they were wrongfully targeted by the government can request payouts from the fund and “formal apologies.”

That quickly led to speculation that those convicted in connection with storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 could get taxpayer-funded payouts, enraging Republicans who had never been happy with Trump dismissing the rioters’ actions and granting them a mass pardon.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) told Meidas Touch Wednesday that he and some other Republicans are “going to try to kill” the fund, and promptly sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. On Wednesday, he introduced a bill along with Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) to prohibit federal funds from being used to pay any claims submitted to the fund.

“Taxpayer dollars will not become a discretionary payout fund. Transparency is not optional. Accountability is not negotiable,” Fitzpatrick said........

© The Hill