Trump Says He Gave Up $1.7 Billion IRS Settlement to Let Anti-Weaponization Fund Proceed
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · May 22
Trump Says He Gave Up $1.7 Billion IRS Settlement to Let Anti-Weaponization Fund Proceed
8 articles · Updated · CBS New York · May 22
Trump said Friday he "allowed" the Justice Department's Anti-Weaponization Fund to go forward by forgoing what he called a lucrative personal settlement in his lawsuit over the leak of his tax returns.
That claim marked a shift from Monday and Wednesday, when he said he was not involved in creating or negotiating the fund; the White House argued he did not design it but could have blocked it by settling differently.
$1.7 billion has been set aside for the program, with an attorney-general-appointed board set to decide payments, though the Justice Department still has not detailed how claims will work or who will qualify.
Senate Republicans pressed Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche for answers Thursday as some GOP lawmakers warned Jan. 6 rioters could seek payouts; Enrique Tarrio, Michael Caputo and former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen have already been mentioned as potential claimants.
Under Trump's IRS settlement, he and two sons get a formal government apology but no cash, while the agreement also bars certain future tax-related and undefined "lawfare" claims against him.
What precedent does a $1.8B settlement fund, created without congressional oversight, set for executive power?
With border agency funding stalled, what are the immediate consequences for national security and immigration operations?
How does a permanent IRS audit ban on a president's family impact the fairness of the U.S. tax system?