Lois Frankel Moves to Block Trump's $1.8 Billion Fund as Jan. 6 Payout Fears Grow
Updated
Updated · Palm Beach Post · May 28
Lois Frankel Moves to Block Trump's $1.8 Billion Fund as Jan. 6 Payout Fears Grow
4 articles · Updated · Palm Beach Post · May 28
Lois Frankel said she has co-sponsored legislation to stop the Justice Department's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, calling it a taxpayer-funded "political slush fund" created without court or congressional approval.
The fund was set up after Trump and his adult sons sued over the release of his tax returns, and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced $1.776 billion would be reserved for people claiming they were unfairly prosecuted or sued.
Frankel and other critics say the money could reach Trump's political allies and even Jan. 6 rioters; under congressional questioning, Blanche did not rule out payments to Capitol attackers, drawing bipartisan criticism including Sen. Thom Tillis's "stupid on stilts" remark.
Frankel tied the issue to Democrats' broader midterm message that Trump is prioritizing controversial spending while voters face higher gas, grocery and rent costs, with recent polls showing roughly 60% disapproval of his job performance.
Any bill to kill the fund faces long odds in the Republican-controlled House, but Democrats see the controversy as a way to pressure vulnerable GOP incumbents and sharpen the fight for control of Congress.
What precedent allows a $1.8B settlement for an undefined group of 'victims' without court approval or congressional oversight?
Can an administration legally grant permanent immunity from future investigations to individuals through a settlement agreement?