Senate Republicans want a clear-cut answer on whether the Trump administration’s now-stalled, nearly $2 billion «anti-weaponization» fund is dead before moving forward with a multibillion-dollar immigration enforcement package. 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday announced that while the administration «disagrees strongly» with a Virginia federal court’s order against the fund, it would adhere to the decision. But many Republicans contend that it’s not enough to satisfy their concerns.

«I appreciate them saying that, but they don’t have a choice,» Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said. «They have to abide by federal district court law. It doesn’t tell me whether they’re planning on appeal. It doesn’t tell me whether the administration’s backing off the idea — it doesn’t tell me anything, except they’re gonna follow the law.»

TRUMP ADMIN BACKS OFF CONTROVERSIAL $2B FUND, CLEARING PATH FOR GOP TO RESTART AGENDA

And in the middle of the intra-party battle is President Donald Trump’s roughly $70 billion funding package for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol.

«If your question is, is the weaponization fund impacting our ability to pass the reconciliation bill? The answer is yes,» Kennedy continued. «But right now, the reconciliation bill, and the process surrounding it, looks like a broken arm with a bone sticking out.»

Senate Republicans abruptly halted budget reconciliation, the party-line process they’re using to ram through the funding package, after an explosive meeting with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche about the fund last month.  

GOP’S PRIMED FOR PRIMARY SEASON PAYBACK ON TRUMP’S MOST AMBITIOUS, CONTROVERSIAL POLICY

Republicans’ general sentiment was that the problem was one for the administration and Trump to figure out, given that a slew of Democratic amendments related to the fund would likely pass and modify the package.

And what was meant to be a concession, or at least a glimmer of hope to restart the process, has not landed well with Republicans. 

«The only thing that’s gonna solve this problem — to get immigration funded and law enforced — is for the president to do away with the weaponization fund,» Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, told reporters. 

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said that the DOJ’s announcement appeared to signal that the fund had been shut down, but that conversations among Republicans would decide the next steps on reconciliation.

SENATE GOP ERUPTS OVER TRUMP DOJ ‘ANTI-WEAPONIZATION’ FUND, PUNTS ICE, BORDER PATROL FUNDING

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., has argued a third budget reconciliation package is unlikely to materialize this year, adding the forthcoming immigration enforcement-focused bill is the «last train leaving the station» ahead of November’s midterm elections. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Still, he acknowledged that Republicans wanted more answers from the administration. 

«Well, I think anything that they say on top of what the DOJ said is helpful, but, I mean, I think the statement they made effectively shuts it down,» Thune said.

Some Republicans aren’t totally against the idea of some form of compensation fund for people who claim they were wronged or targeted by the government, but contend that it’s how the fund is administered that matters.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., broadly supports compensation funds, like his Radiation Exposure Compensation Act that was signed into law last year, but said that the question was «how do you administer it?» 

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«My view on that is, you can work those details out in a way that rewards victims,» Hawley said.
»I mean, that’s the key thing.» 

Others are ready to move on from the fight and feel that the DOJ’s announcement was enough to clear the decks of concerns among their colleagues.

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., said it’s a «moot point at this point.» 

«I think it’s important for us to move forward with the ICE and CBP funding,» Schmitt said. «There’s just, we gotta get that done. Democrats have been obstructing that for too long, and so, as far as I’m concerned, it’s a moot point.»

A principios de este año, el ministro de Defensa de Colombia se acercó al gobierno de Donald Trump con una solicitud: ¿Podría el gobierno estadounidense imponer sanciones económicas a la industria del oro ilegal en Colombia?

La minería ilícita de oro sustenta al Clan del Golfo, un cártel de la droga que el gobierno estadounidense había designado como grupo terrorista. Washington ya había incluido a los líderes del cártel en una lista negra financiera. Ampliar las sanciones a los traficantes ilegales de oro ayudaría a Colombia a combatir al cártel.

Pero la solicitud puso al Departamento del Tesoro en una situación inusual: durante muchos años había estado comprando oro procedente del mismo sector al que se le pedía que incluyera en su lista negra.

La solicitud de sanciones, sobre la que Estados Unidos no ha actuado, pone de relieve los puntos débiles en ambos extremos de la cadena de suministro mundial de oro ilícito.

En primer lugar, el ejército colombiano ha sido prácticamente incapaz de impedir que los delincuentes arrasaran con cientos de kilómetros cuadrados de terreno, pagaran a los líderes de los cárteles e incluso invadieran los terrenos de una base militar en busca de oro. Y Washington ha realizado tan pocos controles de su propio suministro de oro que el oro de los cárteles acabó en monedas de la Dama de la Libertad vendidas por la Casa de la Moneda de Estados Unidos.

Estas debilidades contradicen la idea –difundida por instituciones como la Casa de la Moneda y los principales refinadores de oro del mundo– de que existe una línea clara entre el oro limpio, extraído legalmente, y el oro contaminado por la criminalidad y la corrupción. Las instituciones que se supone deben mantener el oro ilegal fuera del suministro convencional se han mostrado poco dispuestas o incapaces de hacerlo.

The New York Times informó en abril de que la Casa de la Moneda de Estados Unidos, que depende del Tesoro, compró oro procedente de una mina de oro ilícita controlada por el cártel. Con el oro rondando los 5000 dólares la onza, incluso la minería más destructiva y derrochadora para el medioambiente resulta rentable. Y mientras los grandes refinadores y compradores como la Casa de la Moneda de Estados Unidos hagan la vista gorda, sacar el oro al mercado es relativamente fácil.

El ministro de Defensa de Colombia, Pedro Sánchez, afirmó en una entrevista que la realidad es que la minería criminal está derrotando al Estado colombiano.

Dijo que, en marzo, había pedido a Estados Unidos que impusiera sanciones económicas a quienes participan en la minería criminal. Sánchez dijo haber hecho su solicitud a través del Departamento de Estado.

Leé también: Balotaje en Colombia: quién es Abelardo de la Espriella, el “outsider” que admira a Trump y promete mano dura

Las sanciones financieras estadounidenses pueden hacer prácticamente imposible que la gente haga negocios internacionales. El Departamento del Tesoro, que mantiene las listas negras financieras del gobierno, se negó a comentar si estaba estudiando la solicitud de Colombia.

Tras los artículos del Times, Sánchez sobrevoló en helicóptero las principales zonas productoras de oro de Colombia. Kilómetros y kilómetros de fosas mineras a cielo abierto se extendían unas junto a otras. Aunque todo estaba a la vista y había sido documentado durante años, Sánchez dijo que quedó impactado por la escala, que incluía docenas de barcazas que usaban bombas de vacío para succionar sedimentos del río y extraer oro.

La minería ilegal era tan desenfrenada, informó The New York Times, que una explotación se había extendido hasta los terrenos de una base militar. Esta revelación, dijo Sánchez, sacudió no solo al país, sino también a las Fuerzas Armadas, por lo que tomarán medidas contundentes contra esa minería ilegal.

El ejército dijo que había destruido maquinaria pesada en minas vinculadas al cartel durante una redada nocturna el mes pasado. Los soldados desmantelaron operaciones que producían unos 4,7 millones de dólares de oro al mes, dijeron oficiales militares.

El ejército dijo posteriormente que había descubierto un documento gubernamental de 38 años que mostraba límites diferentes para la base militar. Según dijeron los oficiales, en esos límites la minería ilegal llegaba hasta el perímetro de la base, pero no la invadía. Los funcionarios se negaron a facilitar un mapa de esos límites. Un mapa gubernamental de la época muestra que la minería ilegal estaba efectivamente dentro de los límites de la base en 1988.

“Lo más preocupante no es hasta donde va el batallón”, dijo Sánchez.

Mientras Colombia ha tomado medidas contra la minería ilegal, la actuación por parte de Estados Unidos es menos clara. El Departamento del Tesoro dijo que investigaría cómo había entrado oro ilícito en su cadena de suministro durante tantos años, pero desde entonces los funcionarios se han negado a responder a preguntas de seguimiento.

La legislación estadounidense establece que la Casa de la Moneda solo puede comprar oro extraído en Estados Unidos para fabricar monedas de grado de inversión. El Times informó que, de hecho, había estado comprando oro de muchos otros lugares para esas monedas. Una portavoz del Tesoro dijo que la Casa de la Moneda estaba investigando su cadena de suministro.

El 14 de mayo, los senadores Ron Wyden, por Oregon, y Elizabeth Warren, por Massachusetts, enviaron una carta al secretario del Tesoro, Scott Bessent, exigiendo saber qué hacía la Casa de la Moneda para asegurarse de que no compraran oro de origen ilegal. Los dos senadores, ambos demócratas, no han recibido respuesta.

*Por Justin Scheck, reportero en Londres para el Times.

UNITED NATIONS: Romania’s foreign minister told Fox News Digital that Bucharest answered the Trump administration’s call for allied support in the Middle East by allowing the use of Romanian military bases for «defensive activities» related to tensions with Iran and efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

«We have allowed for access to defensive activities, such as air refueling, for example, because we do believe allies need to rely on each other,» Romania’s interim Foreign Affairs Minister Oana-Silvia Ţoiu said in an exclusive interview at the United Nations.

«We’re not part of the war, nor do we intend to become part of war, but we are part of an effort to ensure common defense, and we are a part of a diplomatic effort to ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz,» she said.

Ţoiu’s comments come as President Donald Trump has repeatedly pressed European allies to increase defense spending and take a larger role in global security efforts, including maritime security in the Middle East.

NATO LEADERS PREDICT ERA OF 2% DEFENSE SPENDING ‘PROBABLY HISTORY’ AS TRUMP REPORTEDLY FLOATS HIGHER TARGET

Ţoiu acknowledged growing tensions between Washington and some European allies over support related to the conflict with Iran, but said both sides recognize the need for closer coordination.

«I’m pretty sure that both on the U.S. side and the European side, we do understand that we need to enhance our dialog in order to prevent moments when we create tension in the transatlantic partnership,» she told Fox News Digital. «And I do believe a better dialog ahead of time on all sides leads to better results, specifically on the request of help in terms of the conflict in the Middle East.»

The Romanian foreign minister said Bucharest approved the use of its military bases and infrastructure for defensive operations linked to regional security efforts.

«Romania has approved through Parliament the proposal of the President, the ministry of foreign affairs and the ministry for defense and the prime minister, the use of our military bases and infrastructure for defensive activities, for activities such as air-fuelling, for example, because we are aware of the fact that it is needed that we trust each other,» she said.

«I think we share clear objectives here in Europe, between the U.S. and countries around the world, such as lowering energy prices, such as allowing for fertilizers not to be blocked anymore there.»

MIKE WALTZ PUSHES UN RESOLUTION TO STOP IRAN MINING KEY GLOBAL SHIPPING ROUTE

Oana-Silvia Toiu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Romania speaks during emergency Security Council meeting requested by Romania and supported by France after Russian military drone entered Romanian airspace and injuring civilians when exploded at UN Headquarters in New York, NY on June 1, 2026.  (Lev Radin/Sipa USA)

Romania, a NATO member bordering Ukraine, has emerged as one of the alliance’s key eastern flank states amid growing concerns over both Russia’s war in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East.

«We do agree with President Trump on the need to increase budgets,» Ţoiu said.

She noted that Romania raised defense spending to 2% of GDP during Trump’s previous term and plans to allocate an average of 3.4% next year through a combination of military procurement and strategic infrastructure investments.

Her remarks came just hours after Romania requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday following a Russian drone strike that hit a residential building in the Romanian city of Galați on May 29.

The emergency briefing marked the first time in Romania’s roughly 70-year history at the United Nations that it requested a Security Council session over a direct threat to its national security, according to Romanian officials.

MULTIPLE ALLIES DECLINE US CALLS FOR STRAIT OF HORMUZ SUPPORT AMID RISING MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS

Romanian law enforcement officers work at the site of an explosion in a residential block of flats following a reported drone strike near the border with Ukraine, in Galati, Romania, May 29, 2026.  (Inquam Photos/George Calin via Reuters)

Speaking at the Security Council, Ţoiu said a drone carrying explosives violated Romanian airspace for approximately four minutes before crashing into the 10th floor of a residential building, injuring a mother and child.

«We do have the military analysis that shows clearly that it is a Russian-made drone in type of design, type of pieces of equipment, and also the chemical analysis that they have done,» she told Fox News Digital.

Ţoiu said the drone was believed to be part of a larger Russian attack targeting Ukrainian civilian infrastructure near the Danube River.

«We wanted to call on the international community to make sure we collectively state that this is a blatant violation of international law,» she said.

«And irrespective of whether that was the intention or not, the responsibility is very clear. And these reckless escalations need to stop.»

BALTIC LEADERS RIP UN SECURITY COUNCIL AS POWERLESS WHILE RUSSIA HOLDS VETO SEAT

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz meets with Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Ţoiu at U.N. headquarters in New York following an emergency Security Council session on a Russian drone strike in Romania, June 1, 2026.  (U.S. Mission to the United Nations)

Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya rejected the accusations during the session, calling them «unfounded and biased.»

Nebenzya argued that if a Geran-2 drone had directly hit the building, the damage would have been far more severe, claiming Romanian media footage showed only fire damage rather than complete destruction.

He also called for a «thorough, objective, and depoliticized investigation» involving Russia and suggested the incident could have been a Ukrainian provocation intended to drag NATO deeper into the war.

The U.S. military has been enforcing a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, even during the ceasefire. (U.S. Central Command)

Ţoiu pushed back against Moscow’s position and questioned how a permanent member of the Security Council can simultaneously act as an aggressor state.

«We do now have a question that’s not just a question on Romania’s side, but the question of the international community of how can a member of the Security Council contribute to its mission there, which is peace and security, while also being an aggressor state,» she said.

«And of course, its veto [ is not currently] used towards peace and security.»

The United States joined more than 50 countries backing Romania in a joint statement condemning the strike.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz later wrote on X that he met with Ţoiu following «the reckless Russian drone strike on a Romanian apartment building.

«The violence must end before more innocent people suffer,» Waltz wrote.

Ţoiu told Fox News Digital she also held meetings with the U.S. delegation at the United Nations following the emergency session.

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NATO leaders participate in a summit in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 25, 2025, where they pledged to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 as requested by President Donald Trump. (Handout / Latin America News Agency via Reuters Connect)

«The United States has joined our common statement alongside more than 50 countries in making a clear public message on the attack,» she said.

«We are working with the United States not just through our partnership in NATO, but also strategic partners.»