Justice Department Creates $1.776 Billion Payout Fund as Jan. 6 Defendants Eye Claims
Updated
Updated · NBC News · May 20
Justice Department Creates $1.776 Billion Payout Fund as Jan. 6 Defendants Eye Claims
81 articles · Updated · NBC News · May 20
$1.776 billion in taxpayer money will be distributed through a new Justice Department fund created under a settlement of Trump's claims over IRS tax leaks, the Mar-a-Lago search and the Russia investigation.
Todd Blanche told senators any alleged victim of government "weaponization" may apply, with a five-member commission he largely selects deciding awards; he refused to rule out Jan. 6 rioters, even in extreme cases.
Ed Martin had privately predicted payouts months earlier and has openly backed compensating Jan. 6 defendants, while lawyers for more than 400 participants said they now expect clients to seek money through the fund instead of suing.
The move drew immediate criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and legal groups signaled court challenges over the fund's authority and lack of outside oversight.
As D.C. landmarks are remade with private funds, what protects historic preservation from executive power?
The $1.7 Billion Trump-IRS Settlement: Unprecedented Conflict of Interest and the Erosion of Public Trust
Overview
The proposed $1.7 billion 'Truth and Justice Commission' fund, created as part of a deal for President Trump to drop his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS, has sparked intense controversy. Critics argue that Trump’s extraordinary control over the IRS and DOJ, both defendants in the case, raises serious concerns about conflicts of interest and potential misuse of taxpayer money. The fund, intended to compensate Trump’s allies, is widely criticized as a possible slush fund and example of self-dealing. Legal and political challenges question the fairness and legality of the arrangement, highlighting risks to transparency and public trust in government institutions.