Trump Administration Withdraws 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' Amid Legal and Political Pressure

The Trump administration has abandoned its plan to establish a $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' following widespread legal and political opposition, including concerns from courts, lawmakers, and former Vice President Mike Pence.

Tue Jun 02 2026

Trump Administration Abandons 'Anti-Weaponization Fund'

The Trump administration has announced it will abandon its fight to establish a $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund'. This fund was intended as part of a settlement between former President Donald Trump and the IRS regarding leaked tax returns during his first administration. Lawmakers raised significant concerns that the fund could compensate individuals who believed they were unjustly targeted by the Biden administration's Justice Department, including those involved in the January 6th attack on the Capitol.

Court Rulings and Bipartisan Pushback

Last week, one court put the fund on hold, while another reopened the IRS case for further scrutiny, creating substantial legal headwinds for the Trump administration. Concurrently, opposition to the fund grew among both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Senate Republicans expressed particular concern over the lack of parameters for the fund and the possibility of it being used to compensate individuals convicted of assaulting Capitol police officers during the January 6th events.

Opposition from Pence and State Governors

Former Vice President Mike Pence also voiced concerns, stating that money should not go to those who assaulted police officers on January 6th. He argued that the fund was unnecessary, suggesting other mechanisms for legitimate claims against the government. Furthermore, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to tax 100% of any funds received by California residents. Similar initiatives are being considered in New York and New Jersey, signaling broader state-level resistance to the fund. This broad opposition highlights the complex legal and political challenges the Trump administration faced in establishing the controversial fund.

*Source: YouTube: USA TODAY (2026-06-02)*

Tags: #Trump #Anti-Weaponization Fund #US Politics #IRS #January 6th #Justice Department