US President Donald Trump's nearly $US1.8 billion fund to compensate victims of alleged government "weaponisation" has been put on hold after the White House faced fierce opposition from Republicans in Congress, three sources familiar with the plan say.
The rare rebuke of Trump demonstrated some Republicans' increased willingness to flex their political power against the president, particularly after his endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Senator John Cornyn ahead of a crucial midterm election.
The proposal was dropped as senators returned to Washington after their Memorial Day break and faced an impasse with the president over a $US72 billion bill to fund ICE and Border Patrol operations.
