Key Points President Donald Trump defended the controversial new Department of Justice "Anti-Weaponization Fund," which may be used to pay reparations to allies who claim they were victims of prosecutorial misconduct during the Biden administration. Trump posted on Truth Social: "To allow the newly announced Anti-Weaponization Fund to move forward, I gave up a huge amount of money." This comes after Senate Republicans canceled a planned vote following a briefing by Acting Attorney General Todd Branch regarding the fund. On Thursday, May 21, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke in the White House Oval Office. Trump stated he would ease restrictions on climate-warming refrigerants, claiming the move would lower consumer costs, aiming to address voter concerns about living expenses ahead of the November midterm elections. Facing strong opposition from Senate Republicans, President Donald Trump defended the DOJ's controversial new "Anti-Weaponization Fund" on Friday. Acting Attorney General Todd Branch, Trump's former criminal defense lawyer, indicated earlier this week that the $1.8 billion fund was established to settle a $10 billion lawsuit Trump filed against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Trump received no money from that settlement, but the fund is intended to compensate his numerous supporters who claim they were victims of DOJ overreach during the Biden administration. Trump posted on Truth Social: "To allow the newly announced Anti-Weaponization Fund to move forward, I gave up a huge amount of money." He stated: "I could have settled my cases—including the illegal leak of my tax returns and the equally illegal raid on Mar-a-Lago—for a huge sum. But I chose to help those who were severely persecuted by the evil, corrupt, and weaponized Biden government finally get justice!" Earlier Friday, several House Republican lawmakers defended the fund in interviews with CNBC. Republican Representative from Texas and House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, discussing the fund, said Trump "is one of the biggest victims of government weaponization," and argued that "as long as there are oversight mechanisms, this is a proper use of taxpayer funds." However, Arrington added: "We must have accountability and safeguards to prevent it from becoming a so-called 'slush fund'—handing out money arbitrarily to political allies without legitimate claims." He said: "The fund must be fair, objective... Therefore, I believe the Senate will find a way to move forward." Arrington suggested the relevant oversight mechanisms could be included in the next congressional budget reconciliation package, "or simply through an agreement." Republican Representative from Kentucky and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, speaking about the fund, said: "I believe establishing this fund is necessary." Comer stated that Trump is a victim of "lawfare."
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