Blanche Pushes $1.8 Billion DOJ Fund as Republicans Move to Kill It
Updated
Updated · AlterNet · May 21
Blanche Pushes $1.8 Billion DOJ Fund as Republicans Move to Kill It
4 articles · Updated · AlterNet · May 21
Todd Blanche met congressional Republicans Thursday to salvage a $1.8 billion DOJ “anti-weaponization” fund, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune said lawmakers still want details on how it would work and be constrained.
Republican resistance hardened around fears the money could compensate pardoned Jan. 6 defendants, with Sen. Thom Tillis calling it “stupid on stilts,” a “payout pot for punks,” and “tyranny.”
Brian Fitzpatrick and Tom Suozzi are preparing bipartisan legislation to block the fund, arguing the DOJ has not adequately described or justified the account.
The dispute lands as Republicans try to finish a $72 billion budget for Trump by Friday; an early draft includes $1.457 billion for DOJ, so Blanche’s request would more than double that amount.
How can a $1.8B government fund created without direct congressional approval maintain legal legitimacy?
With the DOJ seeking to police its own lawyers, who will ensure federal prosecutors are held accountable?