Senate Republicans want assurance anti-weaponization fund is dead for good

Senate Republicans say the Trump administration’s promise to “abide by” a court order blocking its controversial $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund does not go far enough, demanding assurances the program will be permanently scrapped.

“The only thing that’s going to solve this problem, to get immigration funded and law enforced, is for the president to do away with the weaponization fund,” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said.

The Justice Department said on Monday it would “abide by” a federal court order pausing creation and operation of the fund while litigation proceeds. But Republicans indicated the administration’s temporary retreat has done little to ease concerns that the fund could be revived later.

“Is it going to be completely eliminated?” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) asked. “That’s the question that I have. That would make it easier, if it’s completely gone.”

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) similarly said the DOJ announcement leaves unresolved questions.