GOP Revolt Over Trump Anti-Weaponization Fund Stalls Immigration Bill

A bipartisan revolt in Congress has derailed a $70 billion to $72 billion reconciliation package intended to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol. The legislative collapse followed a fierce internal Republican conflict over an "anti-weaponization fund" established by the United States Department of Justice. The fund, valued at approximately $1.776 billion, was created after President Donald Trump dropped a $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service regarding leaked tax returns. The settlement also granted Trump and his family immunity from federal tax audits.

Senate Republicans and Democrats alike condemned the initiative as a "slush fund," specifically citing the risk that taxpayer money would compensate January 6 Capitol rioters who assaulted police. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the fund in a series of contentious meetings with GOP senators, but he initially refused to rule out payouts to convicted rioters. This friction, combined with a rejected $1 billion request for a White House ballroom project, led Senate Majority Leader John Thune to cancel votes and adjourn for the Memorial Day recess, missing Trump's June 1 deadline.

Following the recess, Judge Leonie Brinkema issued a temporary restraining order barring the fund's creation until June 12. Despite this, the legislative impasse continues, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer vowing to use amendments to eliminate the fund entirely. Trump has responded by attacking dissenting Republicans as "RINOs" and expressing indifference toward the impact of the deadlock on the upcoming midterm elections.