US President Donald Trump speaks from the Cross Hall of the White House on April 1, 2026 in Washington, DC (Photo by Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s nearly $1.8 billion “anti-gun” fund appeared to be on shaky ground Monday as it continued to face opposition from his own party.
Trump had not made a public announcement as of delayed afternoon, but multiple media outlets reported that the president planned to potentially abandon the fund to clear the way for Senate Republicans to advance a $72 billion immigration funding package. Politically reported White House officials announced the decision to Republicans on Capitol Hill on Monday, according to two unnamed sources.
Trump’s fund sparked opposition from both parties as concerns grew that riot defendants on Jan. 6, 2021, may receive redress by claiming the law was “weaponized” against them for political gain.
A lot Complaints A challenge to what opponents called a “slush fund” followed, including from police officers who were defending the Capitol that day.
Shortly after reports began circulating that Trump might shelve the idea, the Justice Department defended the fund on social media but said that was the case retain A court order was issued on Friday temporarily barring the government from further action on the fund. The decision did not address the merits of a lawsuit filed against the fund.
“The Department of Justice disagrees with the decision of the United States District Court Judge in the Eastern District of Virginia on the Anti-Gun Fund, in which the court found that under no circumstances should the Department of Justice proceed with the Anti-Gun Fund, which was recently established to offset the enormous abuse, suffering and hatred unjustly inflicted on so many people. This fund was open to anyone who was so armed, targeted or prosecuted, regardless of whether whether they are Democrats, Republicans or conservative, independent or not: the ministry will abide by the court’s decision,” says the ministry’s post on X.
The DOJ and White House referred States Newsroom to the question of whether the president would eliminate the fund entirely.
Several Republicans vehemently opposed the fund, including outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who called the fund “stupid on stilts.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., leave Plans for a vote on immigration legislation before the Memorial Day recess as members threatened to defect unless the budget reconciliation package also included language applying guardrails to the massive “anti-gun” cash pot.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Monday that even if Trump said he would abandon the fund, “a Trump promise is worthless.”
“If Trump and the Republicans truly abandon this corrupt plan, they should have no problem banning it by law,” Schumer said at the event. “This week, Senate Democrats will advance legislation to ban this slush fund and ensure that no president can ever do it again. Trump’s word is far from enough.”
The Justice Department announced the figure was $1.776 billion Fund on May 18 as a condition of Trump dropping his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS. A day later, the DOJ issued another command As part of Trump’s voluntary dismissal of the lawsuit, it was declared that Trump and his family would be forever immune from government investigations, including tax audits.
