Trump administration appears to back off $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund after rare GOP backlash

The Trump administration signaled it is backing off on creating a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund announced by the Justice Department that could send money to allies of President Donald Trump.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration signaled Monday it is backing off on creating a $1.8 billion fund announced by the Justice Department that could send money to allies of President Donald Trump deemed to be “victims of lawfare and weaponization.”

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It comes after a fierce and rare backlash from Senate Republicans, who threatened to team up with Democrats to block the fund. About half the Republican conference appeared ready to vote with Democrats to restrict or kill it, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said last week.

In a statement, the Justice Department cited a federal judge’s ruling Friday that blocked the fund on a temporary basis, saying it “disagrees strongly” but “will abide by the Court’s ruling.”