Trump meets with Mike Johnson over 'anti-weaponization fund'

President Donald Trump met with House Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday to discuss the Department of Justice's creation of an "anti-weaponization fund" that has riled lawmakers in both chambers.

The $1.776 billion fund came as part of a settlement to end Trump's own lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns by contractor Charles Littlejohn, who pleaded guilty. Senate Republicans and Democrats in both chambers have expressed concerns that the fund, intended to benefit the alleged victims of political weaponization under the Biden DOJ, would improperly benefit Trump allies.

Johnson's office confirmed the meeting with Trump to The Hill. It comes as Congress works to pass funding for Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement through a reconciliation package that would not require Democratic support.

The initiative followed the end of a protracted government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security that saw Democrats balk at additional immigration enforcement funding after the deaths of anti-ICE demonstrators in Minneapolis, Minn.

Trump's creation of the fund prompted the Senate to delay its votes on the reconciliation package due to concerns from members of the upper chamber. But it wasn't merely the fund that prompted reservations. Many Senate Republicans have been irate over Trump's involvement in Senate primaries that saw him back challengers to Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas; and Bill Cassidy, R-La.; resulting in their ouster.

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