The $1.8 billion settlement was seen as a "
slush fund" by the president's critics and made many in his own party uncomfortable
President Donald Trump is retreating from plans for a $1.8 billion “
Anti-Weaponization Fund” after a fierce backlash from congressional Republicans, according to two people granted anonymity to describe the decision.
White House officials communicated the move Monday to top Republicans on Capitol Hill, the people said.
The Justice Department, which was set to administer the fund, also indicated Monday it would “abide by the Court’s ruling” to halt progress after
a federal judge in Virginia on Friday temporarily halted any payouts or other work to establish the fund. But the White House has not stated publicly yet whether it would move to make changes to the fund or kill it altogether — or seek to revive it later should Trump change his mind.
