Schumer outlines actions against Trump's anti-weaponization fund

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced on June 1, 2026, a campaign by Democrats to oppose President Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund. Trump claims the fund, established by the Justice Department as part of a settlement with the IRS, aims to compensate individuals he believes were wrongfully targeted by the Justice Department. Schumer argues that the fund lacks a lawful basis and described it as a corrupt scheme. He stated that Senate Democrats will attempt to eliminate the fund during the Senate's budget process and will push Republicans to vote on the issue. Schumer emphasized that they will not allow the issue to be hidden or avoided in the Senate. The fund was created following a settlement agreement between Trump and the IRS regarding a lawsuit he filed against the agency. A committee appointed by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche will decide the distribution of funds. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the fund, coinciding with the reopening of Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS to investigate the fund's legitimacy. Trump has defended the fund as a means to reimburse individuals he claims were politically persecuted, particularly during the Biden administration.