First GOP lawmaker hits DOJ with formal demand over Trump's fund to pay off allies

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) became the first Republican member of Congress to formally demand information from the Justice Department about President Donald Trump's $1.776 billion "anti-Weaponization" fund, which he created as a settlement with his own administration after dropping a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS for failing to secure his tax information.

The fund, which was not authorized by Congress and not approved by the court overseeing his lawsuit, purports to be able to pay out money to any Trump ally who was a victim of "lawfare." Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has refused to rule out payouts to perpetrators of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

"I am writing to you to express my urgent concern surrounding the announcement of a newly formed 'Anti-Weaponization Fund,' a plan to set up nearly $1.8 billion in funds to compensate victims of alleged lawfare," wrote Fitzpatrick to Blanche, in a letter obtained by Punchbowl News' Jake Sherman. "A massive discretionary fund, with no oversight or approval from Congress, represents a dangerous backsliding in the transparency of our institutions and our commitment to the American taxpayer."

"The announcement from the Department of Justice on May 18, 2026, stated that the U.S. Department of Treasury will direct a payment of $1,776,000,000 to an account for the sole use by the Anti- Weaponization Fund,'" said Fitzpatrick. "I am requesting more information on where these funds are being diverted from and how they will be used by this Designated Account."

Among the questions Fitzpatrick is demanding answers for are: where the funds are being diverted from, whether "individuals convicted of federal crimes or associated with acts of violence" are eligible, and whether there are "examples of previous administrations establishing discretionary compensation programs that are not authorized by Congress and do not have court approval or judicial oversight."

Fitzpatrick, though a loyal Republican for years, sits in a battleground House district and has been one of Trump's greatest critics from the GOP side. He has admitted he might leave the GOP and become an independent if Pennsylvania primary law weren't so rigid.