Trump administration drops $1.8bn 'anti-weaponisation' fund

President Trump has controversially appointed Bill Pulte, currently the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as the acting Director of National Intelligence. This decision comes after the resignation of Tulsi Gabbard and has drawn criticism due to Pulte's lack of traditional intelligence experience and his past actions in his housing role, where he pursued investigations against perceived political adversaries of the president. Trump defended the appointment by highlighting Pulte's experience in managing sensitive market matters, and Pulte is expected to concurrently hold both positions.

Concurrently, the Trump administration has decided to abandon its plans for a controversial $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, a move confirmed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Initially established as part of a settlement in President Trump's lawsuit against the IRS concerning leaked tax returns, the fund aimed to compensate his allies who alleged unfair targeting by the federal government. The fund faced widespread bipartisan opposition and legal challenges, with critics denouncing it as a potential "slush fund" and a means to reward those involved in the January 6 Capitol riot. Although the fund is being scrapped, an arrangement reportedly remains in place preventing IRS audits of Trump, his family, and associated entities.