John Kennedy tells Trump exactly what won't make it into his 'anti-weaponization' bill

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen John Kennedy has become the first prominent Republican to publicly draw firm boundaries around President Donald Trump's proposed "anti-weaponization" fund, signaling that any legislation would have to undergo significant changes before winning his support.

Kennedy's comments come as Trump's $1.776 billion proposal remains at the center of the standoff over acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination.

Rather than rejecting the idea outright, the Louisiana Republican said he is willing to consider legislation but made clear he would not hand the administration unrestricted authority over the fund, marking a notable shift in a debate that has largely seen Republicans rally behind Trump's position.

Kennedy draws first red line

Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press, Kennedy said he would carefully review any legislation creating the proposed fund but insisted he would not provide the administration with what he described as a "blank check." 

The senator argued that the federal government already provides a legal avenue for individuals who believe they have been wronged through the Federal Tort Claims Act, suggesting any new program should complement, not ‘replace’ existing remedies.

Kennedy's remarks distinguish him from Republicans who have focused primarily on supporting or opposing Trump's proposal. Instead, he outlined specific conditions under which he could back the legislation, making him the first major GOP senator to publicly reshape the debate rather than simply take sides.

Jan 6 exclusions take center stage

Kennedy also identified one category of claimants he believes should be excluded from any future fund: individuals involved in the Jan 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.

Asked whether those convicted of attacking law enforcement or storming the Capitol should receive taxpayer-funded compensation, Kennedy responded that he would "take them off the table."

He argued the issue remains too emotionally charged and noted that Jan. 6 defendants who believe they were improperly prosecuted already have legal mechanisms available to pursue claims through existing federal law.

The comments represent the clearest Republican effort so far to place substantive limits on Trump's proposal rather than endorsing it in full.

Fund fight shapes DOJ battle

Kennedy's intervention comes as Blanche's nomination remains stalled amid disagreements over the future of the proposed fund.

Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis have demanded legally enforceable assurances that the Justice Department will not revive the program, while Trump has alternated between declaring the fund "dead" and promising to pursue it through Congress if necessary.

Kennedy's position offers a possible middle ground: openness to legislation, but only with clear restrictions on eligibility and congressional oversight.

As Senate Republicans prepare to revisit Blanche's nomination, Kennedy's comments suggest the debate is shifting from whether Trump's proposal should exist to what limits Congress is willing to impose before approving it.