Johnson confirms Trump's anti-weaponization fund is 'off the table'

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday confirmed that the chamber was unlikely to approve the Department of Justice's "anti-weaponization fund" due to the GOP's narrow majority and internal scrutiny from the rank-and-file lawmakers.

The DOJ originally announced the $1.776 billion fund as part of a settlement to end President Donald Trump's lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns by contractor Charles Littlejohn, who pleaded guilty. The fund was intended to provide restitution to alleged victims of political weaponization from the Biden DOJ, but faced pushback from Republicans over concerns it would be used to reward Trump allies.

Johnson, speaking to reporters, said that the fund was likely "off the table" and indicated he had spoken to Trump about the difficulty of passing it due to the narrow majority.

Trump met with Johnson on Monday to discuss the matter as lawmakers in both chambers suggested it could hinder passage of an immigration enforcement funding plan.

Reports broke on Monday that Trump would ditch plans to establish the fund and the DOJ later confirmed it would comply with a court order barring its implementation.

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