Press ReleaseUrgent2026-05-20

Fitzpatrick Calls on DOJ to Provide Answers on Newly Announced $1.8 Billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund”

Environment

Context

This press release from Representative Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA) was published on 2026-05-20 and titled "Fitzpatrick Calls on DOJ to Provide Answers on Newly Announced $1.8 Billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund”".

Full Text

Fitzpatrick Calls on DOJ to Provide Answers on Newly Announced $1.8 Billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) called on Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to provide immediate transparency regarding the Department of Justice's newly announced "Anti-Weaponization Fund," a nearly $1.8 billion discretionary account intended to compensate victims of alleged lawfare. In a letter to the Department, Fitzpatrick raised serious concerns that the fund appears to have been created without congressional authorization or clear oversight mechanisms. He warned that directing nearly $2 billion in taxpayer funds into a discretionary account without answers about its legal basis, funding source, eligibility standards, or accountability structure represents a dangerous step backward for transparency, institutional integrity, and responsible stewardship of public dollars. "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," Fitzpatrick wrote. Fitzpatrick requested answers by June 1, 2026, including where the funds are being diverted from, the exact legal purpose of the fund, whether individuals convicted of federal crimes or associated with acts of violence may be eligible for payouts, and whether any prior administration has established a comparable compensation program without congressional approval or court oversight. Read the full letter here and below: May 20, 2026 Todd Blanche Acting Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530-0001 Dear Attorney General Blanche: 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. 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.1 I am requesting more information on where these funds are being diverted from and how they will be used by this Designated Account. I am requesting answers to the following questions by June 1, 2026: Where are the nearly $2 billion in funds being diverted from to be used for this fund? What is the exact legal purpose of the Anti-Weaponization Fund and will individuals convicted of federal crimes or associated with acts of violence be eligible to receive monetary payouts from the Fund? Are there examples of previous administrations establishing discretionary compensation programs that are not authorized by Congress and do not have court approval or judicial oversight? Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your prompt response. Sincerely, Brian Fitzpatrick Member of Congress

View original source →

Fitzpatrick Calls on DOJ to Provide Answers on Newly Announced $1.8 Billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) called on Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to provide immediate transparency regarding the Department of Justice's newly announced "Anti-Weaponization Fund," a nearly $1.8 billion discretionary account intended to compensate victims of alleged lawfare. In a letter to the Department, Fitzpatrick raised serious concerns that the fund appears to have been created without congressional authorization or clear oversight mechanisms. He warned that directing nearly $2 billion in taxpayer funds into a discretionary account without answers about its legal basis, funding source, eligibility standards, or accountability structure represents a dangerous step backward for transparency, institutional integrity, and responsible stewardship of public dollars. "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," Fitzpatrick wrote. Fitzpatrick requested answers by June 1, 2026, including where the funds are being diverted from, the exact legal purpose of the fund, whether individuals convicted of federal crimes or associated with acts of violence may be eligible for payouts, and whether any prior administration has established a comparable compensation program without congressional approval or court oversight. Read the full letter here and below: May 20, 2026 Todd Blanche Acting Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530-0001 Dear Attorney General Blanche: 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. 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.1 I am requesting more information on where these funds are being diverted from and how they will be used by this Designated Account. I am requesting answers to the following questions by June 1, 2026: Where are the nearly $2 billion in funds being diverted from to be used for this fund? What is the exact legal purpose of the Anti-Weaponization Fund and will individuals convicted of federal crimes or associated with acts of violence be eligible to receive monetary payouts from the Fund? Are there examples of previous administrations establishing discretionary compensation programs that are not authorized by Congress and do not have court approval or judicial oversight? Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your prompt response. Sincerely, Brian Fitzpatrick Member of Congress