GOP rep vows to 'kill' $1.8B 'anti-weaponization fund'

Fitzpatrick has long been regarded as ranking among the most moderate members of the Republican conference.

Published: May 21, 2026 3:14pm

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., on Thursday said that he and other lawmakers would attempt to "kill" the Department of Justice's "anti-weaponization fund" to compensate victims of alleged political persecution under the Biden DOJ.

The DOJ established the $1.8 billion fund as part of a settlement that ended President Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns. Its establishment has faced considerable pushback, including from Republicans, some of whom want to eliminate it outright.

“We’re going to try to kill it,” Fitzpatrick told reporters. “We’re trying to unpack exactly, you know, what the legal machinations are, but can’t do that.”

Fitzpatrick has long been regarded as ranking among the most moderate members of the Republican conference. Trump, this week, endorsed most of the Republican House delegation from the state, but excluded Fitzpatrick.

The Pennsylvania Republican's remarks come after the Senate delayed a planned reconciliation bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol until June, due to frustrations from lawmakers over the fund.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.

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