Screaming, yelling, and accusations of self-dealing. That’s how Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, described a tense closed-door meeting with Senate Republicans and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Friday. The discussion was about the Trump administration’s controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, which has faced criticism from both parties.
Cruz Calls Meeting “Fiery”
On his podcast, Verdict with Ted Cruz, the senator called the meeting “one of the roughest meetings I’ve seen in my entire time in the Senate.” He said roughly half of the 45 senators in the room were blasting the attorney general and were extremely angry.
“The legal basis is quite sound,” Cruz added, but said many GOP senators felt the fund looked like President Trump “cut a deal with himself,” making it politically hard to defend.
What the Fund Is About
The $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund was announced Monday after Trump said he would drop a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and other claims tied to the 2022 Mar-a-Lago search and the Russian collusion investigation from the 2016 election.
Justice Department officials said the fund would provide a “systematic process to hear and redress claims of others who suffered weaponization and lawfare.”
However, many Republicans and Democrats have criticized the fund, claiming it appears self-serving and lacks congressional input.
Republicans Split Over the Fund
Cruz said if the Senate had gone ahead with votes on the ICE and Border Patrol funding bill on Thursday, nearly half of Republican senators would have sided with Democrats on amendments to limit the fund. He called it a “jailbreak” of GOP members bolting from party lines.
Several Republican senators have voiced concerns:
- Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., called it a “payout pot for punks,” highlighting the possibility that Jan. 6 rioters could receive compensation.
- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said the administration was “putting itself in a bad spot” because Congress had no input on the fund.
Democrats Criticize the Fund
Democrats have also condemned the fund. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called it “absurd and offensive” for potentially giving federal money to rioters.
Meanwhile, Reps. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., introduced bipartisan legislation to block federal money from going to the fund. Fitzpatrick had previously demanded details on who would be eligible and the legal authority behind it.
Looking Ahead
Cruz warned that unless the administration modifies the fund before Congress returns on June 1, there could be a “full-on revolt in the Senate.” A White House official told NBC News that the administration “appreciated yesterday’s conversation and feedback” and looks forward to further discussions.
The controversy around the anti-weaponization fund continues to grow, highlighting deep divisions within the Republican Party and the broader debate over government spending and accountability.
