politics
Sen. Ted Cruz says Blanche faced "full-on revolt" over "anti-weaponization fund" in meeting with GOP senators
Updated on: May 22, 2026 / 6:34 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Sen. Ted Cruz called a meeting with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche regarding the Justice Department's "anti-weaponization fund" one of the roughest he's witnessed.
- The fund, part of a settlement to resolve President Trump's lawsuit against the IRS, aims to compensate those claiming political persecution.
- Approximately 45 Senate Republicans attended the meeting, with Cruz estimating at least half expressed strong opposition and anger.
- Cruz stated that the opposition to the fund nearly derailed a planned vote on border security and immigration enforcement funding.
- Blanche reportedly assured senators that individuals involved in violence, including Jan. 6 defendants, would not be eligible for payouts from the fund.
- The Justice Department confirmed a "healthy discussion" took place and reiterated that the fund is unrelated to the reconciliation package.