US President Donald Trump may be reconsidering or entirely dropping the idea of a $1.8 billion fund to compensate victims of alleged government 'weaponisation'. The fund, aimed at compensating people unfairly targeted by government agencies, has faced opposition from within his own Republican senators.
According to reports, the Justice Department has temporarily paused the fund in compliance with a court order, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune has reportedly told the White House that the fund needs to be killed.
The fund stems from a legal settlement between Trump and the Justice Department to resolve the President's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS alleging mishandling of his tax records.
However, the plan quickly drew opposition with many Republicans fearing that people involved in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot could end up getting paid. Some critics even called it a 'slush fund', referencing a large pool of taxpayer money that could be distributed with too much political discretion.
While the DOJ has put the fund on hold for now, it has not committed to abandoning it entirely. However, an AP report suggests Trump is reconsidering the fund, with Republicans continuing to seek assurance that the proposal would be pulled back.
