Trump cheers Rand Paul for blocking ‘poison pill’ to stop ICE funding

President Donald Trump on Friday applauded Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., for working to shut down an amendment to an immigration enforcement funding package that he called a “poison pill.”The Senate this week mulled an amendment to the reconciliation package that would have included language to bar the creation of the Department of Justice’s abandoned “anti-weaponization fund.” Paul called the amendment a “poison pill” that was unrelated to the main issue.
“Very Impressive. Proud of you!” Trump wrote on Truth Social, sharing a post from Paul.
“There should never be a situation where any Republican who campaigned on [Trump’s] America First agenda turns around & rallies with Democrats to poison-pill a straightforward bill funding ICE & Border Patrol,” Paul wrote. “I shot down this unrelated amendment, and we got the funding passed.”
Some Senate Republicans and Democrats had sought to include language against the fund as part of the measure. The clip Trump originally shared showed Paul arguing with Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., against the amendment.
Cassidy lost his primary to a Trump-backed challenger, finishing third behind Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., and state Treasurer John Fleming. He earned Trump’s ire after voting to convict him in his second impeachment trial. Trump ultimately backed Letlow and Cassidy has since opposed Trump on several key issues.
The “anti-weaponization fund” was part of a settlement the DOJ announced to end Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns by contractor Charles Littlejohn, who pleaded guilty. The $1.776 billion fund drew bipartisan pushback over fears it could be used to reward Trump allies.
The exchange between Trump and Paul represents something of a rapprochement for the two, who have often sparred over spending items and foreign policy.
Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.

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