President Donald Trump discussed the future of a proposed Justice Department anti-weaponization fund during an exclusive interview Sunday morning on NBC’s Meet the Press with moderator Kristen Welker. Trump expressed strong personal support for financially compensating individuals he believes have been targeted by the government, even as his acting Attorney General Todd Blanche recently indicated the administration was backing away from the plan.
The fund, which was intended to financially aid individuals Trump claims were unfairly targeted by the previous administration, has faced significant legislative and procedural hurdles. When pressed by Welker on whether he is abandoning the fund entirely or looking for alternative routes to revive it, Trump did not directly answer whether he would bypass Congress but doubled down on his support for the concept.
“So me, personally, I think the weaponization fund is a great idea, and so do many other Republicans,” Trump said during the broadcast. “You have to get it approved. If they get it approved, that’s great. If they don’t get it approved, I’d be disappointed.”
Throughout the exchange, Trump emphasized the personal toll he believes federal investigations have taken on his supporters and allies, characterizing the Justice Department’s past actions as “a fake weaponization of government.” He cited severe personal and financial consequences for those affected, pointing to his own experiences and those of others.
“If it was up to me, I’d pay them the kind of money that they deserve. People have been destroyed. Lives have been destroyed,” Trump said. He added that the pressure from federal investigations had caused individuals to lose their jobs, families, and in some cases, commit suicide, stating that “people have committed suicide because a bunch of thugs went after them.”
Welker questioned the president on the apparent disconnect between his personal enthusiasm for the fund and the official stance of his acting Attorney General, who suggested the administration was moving away from the proposal.
Trump acknowledged the necessity of securing approval for the fund to move forward, noting that its implementation ultimately hinges on whether the administration can successfully navigate the approval process.
READ: Trump Denies Breaking Peace Pledge, Vows To ‘Blow The Hell Out Of’ Iran If Nuclear Deal Fails
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