'Not a big fan' - Top Senate Republican breaks with Trump on $1.8bn compensation fund

Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune has split with the Trump administration over its creation of a $1.7bn (£1.3bn) fund aimed at compensating individuals "unfairly" investigated by previous administrations.

Speaking to reporters, Thune said he was "not a big fan" of the fund, adding that he did not see "a purpose" for it. He is the most high-profile member of Trump's own party to criticise the plan.

Democrats have condemned it as a "slush fund" for Trump's political allies, including some charged or convicted over the 2021 US Capitol riot.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the move on Capitol Hill, saying the compensation was non-partisan and available to anyone.

The "Anti-Weaponization Fund" was unveiled on Monday "in exchange" for President Donald Trump dropping a $10bn lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over the leak of his tax returns to the media, said the justice department.

The lawsuit's plaintiffs, which include Trump's elder sons, Donald Jr and Eric, and the Trump Organization, will receive an apology, but no monetary compensation, the department said.

The fund will consist of a five-member commission, four of whom will be appointed by the attorney general.

It will have a total of $1.776bn available to settle and pay cases - a figure that refers to the year the US declared independence from Great Britain 250 years ago.

Thune, the top ranking Republican in the US Senate, said that he was "not sure exactly how they intend to use it" and that he expected it to undergo a "full vetting" by lawmakers.

"My assumption is that, based on some of the blowback that's come since this was announced, that there would be a significant amount of attention paid to it," he said.

In a congressional hearing on Tuesday, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the fund, arguing that Democrats "are not excluded from seeking compensation".

While he acknowledged the fund was "unusual", Blanche said it was "not unprecedented".

"It's not limited to Republicans," he said. "There's no limitation on the claims."

Blanche faced criticism from Democrats during the hearing.

Washington state Democratic Senator Patty Murray, for example, said that "this [the fund] is corruption that has never been more blatant or more widespread".

"What is happening is you write the cheque, Trump and his cronies cash it. American taxpayers who are already being whacked with high prices are going to foot the bill," she said.

Hours after the announcement on Monday, the treasury department's general counsel, Brian Morrissey, abruptly resigned after seven months in the position.

While Morrisey has not commented on his departure, a Treasury spokesman said he served the government with "honour and integrity".