A federal legal and political fight is intensifying in Washington over a proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund tied to President Donald Trump’s legal claims against the IRS.
According to the report, the Trump administration is now reconsidering whether to proceed with the so-called “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” after a combination of court rulings and pushback from congressional Republicans raised doubts about its structure and oversight. The Justice Department has also said it will temporarily pause implementation in compliance with a court order.
The fund stems from a settlement tied to a lawsuit involving the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of Trump’s tax returns. Administration officials have described it as compensation for alleged political targeting by federal agencies during the Biden administration era, and said it could apply broadly to individuals they believe were “weaponized” against.
However, the proposal has drawn resistance from within Trump’s own party in Congress. Senators including Ted Cruz, John Thune, Lisa Murkowski, and Jim Lankford have expressed concerns about oversight, eligibility, and the possibility that it could include people involved in the January 6 Capitol attack.
Legal pressure has also mounted. A federal judge, Leonie Brinkema, issued a temporary order blocking implementation of the fund, with a follow-up hearing scheduled to determine whether the pause should continue. In a related proceeding, another federal judge, Kathleen Williams, has ordered Trump’s legal team to respond to allegations that the settlement may have involved improper conduct or avoidance of judicial scrutiny.
The U.S. Department of Justice said it would comply with the court’s ruling but did not clarify whether it would continue defending the broader legal framework behind the fund.
Senate leaders indicated that further legislative action may hinge on whether the White House formally withdraws or limits the program, with some Republicans saying they are not prepared to move forward until its scope is clarified or reduced.
