Senate conservatives vow to oppose DOJ funding boost, Biden nominees after Trump verdict

Senate conservatives led by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), the chair of the Senate Steering Committee, say they will oppose nonsecurity funding increases that would allow the Department of Justice and other agencies to engage in “partisan lawfare” after a Manhattan jury convicted former President Trump on 34 felony counts Thursday.

Lee joined vice presidential aspirants Sens. JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and other Senate GOP colleagues in pledging to retaliate against what they say has been the Biden administration’s weaponization of the Justice Department.

The eight senators who signed the statement say they won’t vote to confirm the administration’s political and judicial appointees or allow expedited consideration on the Senate floor of Democratic bills not directly related to public safety.

“The White House has made a mockery of the rule of law and fundamentally altered our politics in un-American ways. As a Senate Republican conference, we are unwilling to aid and abet this White House in its project to tear this country apart,” the senators said in a joint statement.

Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) also signed the letter.

“Strongly worded statements are not enough. Those who turned our judicial system into a political cudgel must be held accountable. We are no longer cooperating with any Democrat legislative priorities or nominations, and we invite all concerned Senators to join our stand,” Lee posted on the social platform X along with a copy of the letter.

The senators said: “We will not 1) allow any increase to non-security related funding for this administration, or any appropriations bill which funds partisan lawfare; 2) vote to confirm this administration’s political and judicial appointees; and 3) allow expedited consideration and passage of Democrat legislation or authorities that are not directly relevant to the safety of the American people.”

Trump was convicted in a Manhattan criminal court Wednesday on 34 charges of falsifying business records. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) brought the case. 

Special counsel Jack Smith, working under the Justice Department’s authority, has also charged Trump with attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election and mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House.