Senate Delay Amid Backlash Over DOJ's $1.8B 'Anti-Weaponization' Fund
Senate paused a $72bn immigration vote after GOP and bipartisan pushback over a DOJ program drawing roughly $1.776bn from the Judgment Fund.
MEDIAite‘Utterly Stupid’: Mitch McConnell Joins Group of GOP Officials Against Trump’s ‘Slush Fund’
CBS NewsIs Trump's $1.7+ billion "anti-weaponization fund" legal? Experts weigh in.
CBS NewsBipartisan House bill would ban use of federal money for DOJ's "anti-weaponization" fund
Al JazeeraUS Senate pushes back against Trump’s $1.8bn ‘anti-weaponisation’ fund
Overview
Senate Republicans delayed a vote on a $72 billion immigration enforcement bill after GOP opposition over the Justice Department's new anti-weaponization fund.
The Justice Department established the anti-weaponization fund on May 18, 2026 as part of a settlement in President Trump's suit against the IRS.
Senators summoned acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to Capitol Hill to question his decision to greenlight the settlement amid criticism.
The Justice Department allocated roughly $1.776 billion from the Judgment Fund for the program, drawing bipartisan concern and legal challenges.
Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick and Tom Suozzi introduced a bill to bar federal funds for the program, and Rep. Fitzpatrick asked Blanche to respond by June 1.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as GOP outrage and dysfunction, using loaded leads ('fuming', 'slush fund', 'skips town') and conflict-focused structure. They foreground critical quotes (McConnell's 'utterly stupid, morally wrong'), emphasize the GOP walkout and missed deadline, and highlight the DOJ memo to amplify controversy.