GOP senators distance themselves from Trump fund, ‘I don’t need compensation’

DOJ fund aims to compensate Americans deemed victims of political ‘lawfare’ and abuse

BY SHIBRA ARSHAD

PUBLISHED MAY 25, 2026

Some Republican lawmakers, including Sens Rick Scott and Ron Johnson, say taxpayers should not be responsible for paying their salaries (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images, Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Amid the growing criticism of President Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization fund,’ some Republicans have refused to take compensation under the Trump fund, despite their phone records having been targeted by the Biden administration.

The Trump administration has recently proposed an anti-weaponization fund in exchange for the settlement of the president's $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over the leak of his tax returns.

The program is designed to compensate Americans whom the Justice Department determines were victims of political "lawfare" and government abuse under previous administrations.

PENSACOLA, FL - NOVEMBER 03: Florida governor and US senatorial candidate Rick Scott speaks with U. — Florida Governor and US Senate candidate Rick Scott converses with Trump at a campaign rally held at the Pensacola International Airport on November 3, 2018, in Pensacola, Florida (Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images)

Republicans reject payments from Trump fund

Among the potential eligible recipients of Trump’s fund are Republican lawmakers whose phone records were targeted during the Biden-era "Arctic Frost" investigation into efforts surrounding the 2020 election. However, they say they don't want to be paid from the taxpayers’ fund.

"I don’t need any compensation for that," Sen Rick Scott (R-Fla), told the Washington Examiner.

Sen Ron Johnson (R-Wis), another Republican whose records were reportedly seized, defended the idea behind the fund as a deterrent against federal abuse but said he personally "would not apply" for compensation.

The controversial fund has been a flash point recently, with even Republicans criticizing the Trump administration and questioning its functioning.

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 18: Committee Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) questions Department of Justice — During a Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing at the US Capitol on December 18, 2019, Committee Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) questioned Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz in Washington, DC (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Senate Republicans recently met with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to seek clarification about how the fund would operate and who would qualify.

Vance explains Trump fund eligibility

During the White House press briefing on Tuesday, May 19, where Vice President JD Vance filled in for White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, he defended Trump’s $1.7 billion anti-weaponization fund and explained that even Hunter Biden was eligible for the application.

While taking questions about potential applicants for the fund, he clarified that anybody who was wrongfully targeted by the former administration can apply for the compensation, as it is about “compensating Americans.”

“Let me say a couple things about that. First, Jon, I think in some ways the media has misrepresented what this is actually about. This is about compensating Americans for the lawfare that we saw under the last administration. And by the way, anybody can apply for it,” Vance replied.

Vice President JD Vance speaks to reporters during a press briefing at the White House, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) — Vice President JD Vance speaks to reporters during a press briefing at the White House, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Vance then suggested that Hunter Biden can also apply for compensation, saying, “Republicans can apply for it. Democrats can apply for it, as you know, the President of the United States has pardoned several Democrats who he felt were actually subject to this lawfare. I mean, if Hunter Biden wants to apply for this particular fund, he is welcome to.”