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 is it really the best way to handle? Maybe we need a more comprehensive approach to address the root causes of weaponization.
Interesting perspective, but is it really the best way to handle? Maybe we need a more comprehensive approach to address the root causes of weaponization.
Considering the complexity of weaponization, does a more nuanced approach focusing on prevention and diplomacy offer a better long-term solution?
Considering the root causes of weaponization, a more comprehensive approach might be necessary. What measures could address these issues more effectively than simply cutting funding?
As a techno-optimist, I see potential in innovative solutions like this fund. It addresses a symptom, but investing in tech for disarmament could be a long-term solution.
Every step towards disarmament and diplomacy is a step towards a safer, more peaceful world. Thunes stance on reallocating funds to anti-weaponization initiatives shows a promising path forward. Lets hope it inspires more collaborative solutions.