A dual-front political crisis erupted within the Republican party Sunday as a top GOP lawmaker slammed the Trump administration’s tentative nuclear negotiations with Iran and condemned a controversial new Justice Department fund that could pay out tax dollars to convicted January 6 rioters.
Appearing on CNN’s State of the Union, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) described a proposed $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization fund” as “stupid on stilts” and labeled it a “payout pot for punks.” His comments come amid growing fury among Senate Republicans over the fund, which was established by the Justice Department to compensate individuals who claim they were unfairly targeted by the federal government.
According to reports, the fund’s current structure does not exclude individuals convicted of assaulting police officers during the Capitol riot.
“Look, you’re talking about people who assaulted Capitol Police officers on January the 6th, were then convicted,” Tillis told CNN host Jake Tapper. “Many of them pled guilty or they were convicted by a jury of their peers. They could be eligible for this… It’s horrible politics. It’s horrible timing.”
READ: DOJ Slams ‘Fantasy’ Inquest, Fights To Shield Kristi Noem And Lawyers From Contempt Inquisition
The issue led to a closed-door lunch meeting on Thursday featuring what Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) described as “fireworks at an epic level” between Republican senators and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Tillis clarified that lawmakers were not angry with Blanche directly, but rather with the “bogus” agreement that created the fund. Tillis suggested that congressional Republicans may introduce amendments to defund or rescind the program during upcoming budget negotiations.
“Whoever advised the president on this being a wise idea should not plan on coming into the office on Monday if they’re working for me,” Tillis said.
The domestic spending dispute is unfolding alongside deep Republican skepticism over a potential memorandum of understanding with Iran. The emerging deal would reportedly open the Strait of Hormuz and unfreeze certain Iranian assets in exchange for Iran pausing new uranium enrichment and entering talks to surrender its highly enriched stockpile.
GOP leadership immediately panned the proposal. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) warned that a rumored 60-day ceasefire would be a “disaster.”
Tillis echoed those concerns, questioning the strategy of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Tillis noted that Defense officials claimed less than three months ago that Iran’s defenses were “obliterated.”
“Now we’re talking about a posture where we may accept the nuclear material remaining in Iran? How does that make sense at all?” Tillis asked, adding that the strategic missteps were “beginning to make Kristi Noem look like a five-star recruit.”
READ: Trump Holds Firm On Iran Blockade As Administration Negotiates New Nuclear Deal
Tillis warned that any agreement not submitted to Congress for formal ratification is “doomed to fail.”
The public pushback highlights a deepening rift between the White House and establishment Senate conservatives. President Trump recently labeled Tillis a “RINO” (Republican In Name Only), a label the senator rejected while defending his traditional conservative credentials.
“If the Republican Party stands for standing with insurrectionists who assaulted police officers, turning a blind eye towards Putin… negotiating a deal that may be subpar to the Obama deal, then don’t call me that Republican. Just call me a conservative,” Tillis told CNN.
The senator also used the interview to weigh in on Tuesday’s high-stakes Texas primary, where President Trump has endorsed former Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Tillis strongly defended Cornyn and launched a sharp attack on Paxton’s legal and ethical controversies.
“To call Paxton ethically challenged is to call Jeffrey Dahmer suffering from an eating disorder,” Tillis said. “This guy is an empty suit and will do us no service by being in the U.S. Congress… the other guy is going to be nothing but an anchor on our conference.”
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