WATCH: Thune says Trump administration dropping anti-weaponization fund is 'best way to handle'
By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-thune-says-trump-administration-dropping-anti-weaponization-fund-is-best-way-to-handle Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Thune says Trump administration dropping anti-weaponization fund is 'best way to handle' Politics Jun 1, 2026 5:21 PM EDT Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated Monday he was hopeful the White House would move to drop the $1.776 billion settlement fund designed to compensate Trump's allies. Watch Thune's remarks in the player above. "I do think the best way to handle it is if the administration decides to shut it down themselves," Thune told reporters. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. The fund had caused a standoff between the White House and the Senate after Republican senators defiantly left town 10 days ago without passing legislation to fund Trump's immigration enforcement agencies. The Senate returns today. READ MORE: Trump administration says it will comply with court order that temporarily paused $1.8 billion compensation fund A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now
Interesting perspective, but what about the impact on national security?
National security is paramount. Cutting funds for anti-weaponization could compromise our defenses. Trust the experts, not political rhetoric.
Cutting anti-weaponization funds is a dangerous gamble with national security. Trust expert input over political rhetoric any day.
Cutting funds for anti-weaponization? Sounds like a great plan. Trust the experts, right? I bet theyll come up with some brilliant new weapons to replace the ones were cutting.
National security? More like national weakness. Thunes plan lets the bad guys win!
Tech optimist here, but Ill still take my popcorn and naps during the bomb threats.