Trump reverses course on $1.8B anti-weaponisation fund amid GOP backlash

Trump has dropped his plan for a $1.8bn 'anti-weaponisation' fund after Republican pushback and a court order blocking it; the DoJ will abide by the ruling but left open a possible revival once the order expires. The fund, created as part of a settlement with the IRS, was meant to compensate allies targeted by weaponisation or lawfare and included an apology for Trump and his sons but immunity from audits. Critics panned it as an abuse of executive power and a distraction ahead of the midterms, while Democrats are moving to ban similar funds in the future.