Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Tuesday that he informed President Trump the proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization settlement fund was no longer viable, citing the party's razor-thin majority in Congress. Johnson declared the fund "off the table for consideration" after a Monday White House meeting where the two discussed advancing a budget reconciliation bill on immigration enforcement using only Republican votes.
"I told him that it was a difficult prospect right now, given our vote tallies," Johnson told reporters. The fund had sparked fury among Senate Republicans, forcing Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to send lawmakers home for Memorial Day recess without passing the reconciliation bill. Thune had earlier pressed the White House to scrap the fund entirely, as reported by The World Signal.
The Department of Justice announced Monday it would comply with a court order blocking the fund's implementation, but lawmakers were left uncertain whether it was merely paused or permanently abandoned. Johnson deferred to DOJ for clarity, noting Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was set to testify before the House later Tuesday. "I believe that it is off the table for consideration," Johnson said, adding that Blanche would likely "address it with more clarity."
The fund was unveiled in May as part of a settlement after Trump sued the IRS for $10 billion over the leak of his tax returns. It was designed to provide payouts and formal apologies to individuals who claimed they were wrongfully targeted by the government. But the proposal quickly sparked alarm among Republicans who feared it could funnel taxpayer money to those convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick forced a House vote to block the fund, as covered by The World Signal.
Johnson acknowledged the political headwinds, saying, "Look, I understand the intent behind it was a very noble thing. The government clearly was weaponized against Americans. The Department of Justice itself was. And the President made clear that this was something that he wanted to address that for redress for people who are harmed by the government — Republicans, Democrats, independents, and everyone." However, he conceded, "I don't think it was fully understood, and that's what made it a difficult thing."
The fund's collapse marks a rare setback for Trump on a priority issue, as he and Johnson work to unify the party behind a reconciliation package. Senate Democrats have also moved to block the fund after the DOJ abandoned it, according to The World Signal. The episode underscores the fragile coalition Johnson must manage, with internal GOP divisions threatening to derail key legislative goals.
