Key facts
- The Trump administration is abandoning its $1.8 billion 'weaponization' fund.
- U.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche informed lawmakers of the decision.
- The fund faced backlash from Republican senators.
- Speaker Mike Johnson had previously stated the fund complicated legislative efforts.
- The Justice Department will abide by a court order pausing the fund.
The Trump administration is abandoning its nearly $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, U.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche informed lawmakers on Tuesday. This decision follows earlier indications from Republican leaders that they anticipated the fund's termination. Speaker Mike Johnson had previously told President Trump that the fund complicated legislative efforts, suggesting it was "off the table." The fund had drawn criticism from GOP senators, who threatened to block an immigration-enforcement bill. The Justice Department has stated it will comply with a federal court order that has paused the fund. The abandonment of the fund comes as senators faced an impasse with Trump over a $72 billion bill intended to fund ICE and Border Patrol operations.