WATCH: Sen. Collins questions Blanche about the 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' claims process

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, questioned acting Attorney General Todd Blanche about the Justice Department’s newly announced “Anti-Weaponization Fund” on Tuesday in a hearing before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee.

On Monday, the Justice Department announced the nearly $1.8 billion fund as part of a settlement with Trump to end a lawsuit against the IRS over the leaking of his tax returns. The fund, which Blanche said would be run by five commissioners, would offer payouts to Trump allies who claim they had been unfairly targeted by the Justice Department under the Biden administration.

Government watchdogs and Democratic lawmakers blasted the creation of the fund as corruption, saying it could reward – with taxpayer money – people who had helped storm the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, among others.

Collins asked Blanche how commissioners would determine whether claims are eligible and how much people will be paid per claim.

“What’s the legal basis for those decisions?” Collins asked.

Blanche said that “commissioners will take in information. It’s entirely voluntary if an individual wants to apply and assert that they were a victim of weaponization. And the commission can do anything according to what was set up yesterday from issuing an apology to the claimant to awarding monetary compensation.”

The five commissioners, who will be appointed by the attorney general, will review each claim.

Blanche said some information related to the claims such as the basis and amount awarded will be publicly reported.

Blanche was invited to testify on President Donald Trump’s 2027 budget request for the Justice Department, but faced questions on a number of issues.

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