President Donald Trump is facing growing backlash from inside his own party after a planned White House summit with top Republican leaders abruptly collapsed amid outrage over a controversial $1.8 billion compensation fund connected to January 6 defendants.
According to the report, tensions exploded Thursday after Republicans revolted against what critics inside the GOP are calling a “slush fund” tied to claims of political persecution under former President Joe Biden’s administration.
The controversy reportedly derailed a high-stakes White House meeting involving Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and senior Republican leadership.
The summit had been intended to salvage a stalled $70 billion immigration enforcement package central to Trump’s long-term deportation agenda through 2029.
Instead, lawmakers reportedly emerged from a tense closed-door meeting with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche openly criticizing the proposal and signaling the legislation was effectively dead for the week.
The backlash became especially notable because several Republicans traditionally viewed as strong Trump allies reportedly joined the revolt.
Sens. Katie Britt (R-AL) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) were among those who reportedly confronted Blanche over concerns that taxpayer funds could flow to individuals convicted in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol protest, including those accused of assaulting police officers.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) later canceled planned votes and sent lawmakers home until June 1, effectively blowing past Trump’s preferred deadline.
“The White House need to help with this issue, because we have a lot of members who are concerned,” Thune told reporters afterward.
The compensation fund stems from a recently settled $10 billion lawsuit Trump had brought against the Justice Department.
According to the report, the settlement created a $1.8 billion fund intended to provide financial relief and formal apologies to individuals who claim they were unfairly targeted by the Biden administration through politically motivated prosecutions or “lawfare.”
More than 1,600 January 6 defendants pardoned by Trump would reportedly be eligible to seek compensation from the fund.
That possibility triggered immediate outrage from multiple Republicans.
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) described the proposal as “a bomb in the middle of a pretty well planned out reconciliation bill.”
Utah Sen. John Curtis (R) stated bluntly, “I don’t like the fund at all.”
North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis (R) reportedly called it a “payout pot for punks,” while Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson described the proposal as a “galactic blunder.”
The controversy deepened further because Republicans also objected to provisions reportedly granting Trump and his sons broad immunity from IRS tax audits as part of the agreement.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) said he had “never heard” of such protections and vowed to oppose them legislatively.
The report additionally noted growing tensions between Trump and Thune after Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn in Texas’ upcoming Republican Senate primary.
When asked Thursday whether he was losing control over Senate Republicans, Trump responded, “I really don’t know. I can tell you I only do what’s right.”
The backlash represents one of the most visible Republican rebellions against Trump since his return to office and highlights growing divisions inside the GOP over January 6, government spending and Trump’s continued dominance over the party heading into the 2026 midterms.
