The $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization fund” created as part of President Trump’s settlement in his lawsuit against the IRS is facing resistance among some congressional Republicans.
“We’re going to try to kill it,” Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) told reporters on Wednesday, according to The Hill.
"We’re trying to unpack exactly, you know, what the legal machinations are, but can’t do that," he added.
Bipartisan House effort aims to kill 'anti-weaponization' fund https://t.co/3IRjgxf8Uu
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The Hill shared further:
The compensation fund is part of a negotiated settlement between President Trump and the IRS, in which the president agreed to voluntarily dismiss a $10 billion lawsuit over leaked tax returns in exchange for its creation.
The fund will be used to issue “formal apologies” and monetary payouts to individuals who “suffered weaponization and lawfare” at the hands of the federal government, according to the Justice Department.
ADVERTISEMENTWhile senior Trump administration officials have stated there is no partisan requirement to file a claim, critics have decried the move as an attempt to funnel money toward Trump’s allies.
Opponents have raised concerns that individuals who were prosecuted for their participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, including those who assaulted police officers, could receive payouts.
Former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn and D.C. Metropolitan Police officer Daniel Hodges, both of whom defended the building from rioters on Jan. 6, argued in a lawsuit this week the fund would send the wrong signal to “past and potential future perpetrators of violence.”
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche did not rule out the possibility of Trump campaign donors or militia members, such as members of the Oath Keepers, being eligible when asked about it Tuesday.
The settlement also includes an agreement that the United States federal government will not pursue any tax claims or audits against President Trump, his family, or his businesses.
“The United States RELEASES, WAIVES, ACQUITS, and FOREVER DISCHARGES each of the Plaintiffs from, and is hereby FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED from prosecuting or pursuing, any and all claims, counterclaims, causes of action, appeals, or requests for any relief, including injunctive relief, monetary relief, damages, examinations or similar or related reviews, appeals, debt relief, costs, attorney’s fees, expenses, and/or interest, whether presently known or unknown, that – as of the Effective Date of the Settlement Agreement – have been or could have been asserted by Defendants against any of the Plaintiffs or related or affiliated individuals (including, without limitation, family or others filing jointly), or parties including trusts, parent, sister, or related companies, affiliates, and subsidiaries, by reason of, with respect to, in connection with, or which arise out of (1) any matters that were raised or could have been raised in the Case or the Pending Agency Claims; (2) Lawfare and/or Weaponization; or (3) any matters currently pending or that could be pending (including tax returns filed before the Effective Date) before Defendants or other agencies or departments,” a one-page document read.
More from POLITICO:
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) have drafted text and are taking steps to unveil the legislation soon, the people said.
Speaker Mike Johnson raised the level of urgency to block the fund among some congressional skeptics when he refused to say Wednesday whether violent Jan. 6 convicts should have access to the taxpayer money.
Fitzpatrick said in an interview Wednesday he’s waiting to hear back from the Justice Department regarding a list of questions he sent Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche seeking more information about who will be able to access the fund, which was created pursuant to a settlement between Trump and the IRS.
ADVERTISEMENTFitzpatrick said his constituents and others “don’t want a DOJ slush fund that has not been described or explained to anybody.”
Blanche is meeting with GOP senators Thursday morning, some of whom are want to curtail or block the fund through the immigration enforcement package Senate Republicans are planning to advance today.
Johnson would be unlikely to bring the Fitzpatrick-Suozzi legislation to the House floor, but Fitzpatrick has been involved in multiple efforts this Congress to use discharge petitions to pass bipartisan bills over GOP leaders’ objections.
