Several Republican lawmakers are speaking out against the Department of Justice's nearly $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which was created as part of a settlement announced Monday between President Trump and the DOJ over Trump’s IRS lawsuit. Critics warn the fund could reward people involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol who were later pardoned by Trump. “I do not believe that individuals who were convicted of violence against police officers on January 6th should be entitled to reimbursement for their legal fees,” said Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). She questioned Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche about the fund during a congressional hearing Tuesday, where he declined to rule out Jan. 6 rioters receiving payouts. Blanche also met privately with Republican senators on Thursday. “So the nation’s top law enforcement official is asking for a slush fund to pay people who assault cops?” Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said after Blanche’s meeting. “Utterly stupid, morally wrong — take your pick.” “This is just stupid on stilts,” said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) on Thursday. The debate over the fund stalled Republicans' push to pass a $70 billion immigration enforcement bill before a weeklong Memorial Day recess. Now, GOP leaders are deciding whether they will use the funding bill to restrict the “Anti-Weaponization” fund. "We have a lot of members who are concerned, obviously, about the timing, but also about the substance,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) told reporters after he canceled the funding votes Thursday. “We can’t help the president with a budget reconciliation package with this hanging over us,” Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said. “From a legal standpoint, they may be right. [Politically,] it’s unexplainable. That’s the problem.” Trump doubled down on the fund Friday, posting, "I gave up a lot of money in allowing the just announced Anti-Weaponization Fund to go forward... Instead, I am helping others." - @mosheh