Donald Trump and his Department of Justice are backing off an “anti-weaponization” fund that could benefit Jan. 6, 2021, participants that the president agreed to as part of a lawsuit settlement over the release of his tax returns, but a Michigan Democrat is still introducing legislation to block it permanently.
U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, co-introduced the Drain the Slush Fund Act with Senators Adam Schiff, D-California, and Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, on Monday, June 1, which would prevent the fund’s creation. In a video posted to social media, Slotkin said she doesn’t believe President Donald Trump is fully committed to canceling the fund, despite the administration’s current stance.
A federal judge in Virginia on May 29 temporarily ordered the Trump administration not to take further action creating or operating the fund, including transferring any federal dollars or considering any claims. A court hearing is set for June 12 in a case brought by opponents, including a prosecutor who tried cases against people who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
The Justice Department in a statement said it would “abide by the Court’s ruling” despite disagreeing with the order.
Here’s what to know about the Trump administration’s anti-weaponization fund.
What’s happening with Trump’s anti-weaponization fund?
The Justice Department on June 1 said it would stop working to establish the anti-weaponization fund after a federal judge temporarily blocked its creation, USA TODAY reported.
Axios, citing two senior administration officials, reported that Trump plans to drop the anti-weaponization fund entirely. Bloomberg cited a senior administration official also saying it would be scrapped.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY. The Justice Department didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on whether it will continue fighting in court to implement the fund, or whether it’s permanently dropping that effort.
What is the anti-weaponization fund?
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund on May 18 as part of a settlement in Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit filed by Trump and his family against the IRS over the leak of some of his tax returns. Trump has never voluntarily released any tax returns as other presidents have over the years.
Individuals would have been able to apply for compensation from the fund and, if their claims were accepted, they would have been awarded an apology and money, the release said. The DOJ would have stopped processing claims no later than Dec. 1, 2028.
Part of the criticism of the fund is that it could benefit people who were convicted of or charged with attacking the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and who were later pardoned by Trump.
“The machinery of government should never be weaponized against any American, and it is this Department’s intention to make right the wrongs that were previously done while ensuring this never happens again,” acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in the release. “As part of this settlement, we are setting up a lawful process for victims of lawfare and weaponization to be heard and seek redress.”
Sen. Slotkin counters anti-weaponization fund
Slotkin has been an outspoken critic of the anti-weaponization fund and on June 1, introduced a bill alongside Schiff and Kelly that would block the fund.
The Drain the Slush Fund Act would amend Section 1304 of title 31 of the U.S. Code to prevent funds from being distributed out of a lawsuit or claim filed by the U.S. president or vice president.
“The President wants to set up a $1.8 billion slush fund with taxpayer money for people he thinks have been wronged. That list includes people who signed fake certifications for fake electors in Michigan, the former head of the Proud Boys and people who violently attacked Capitol Police. Today, we introduced a bill to stop it,” Slotkin captioned a Facebook post announcing the bill’s introduction.
USA TODAY contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump’s ‘anti-weaponization’ fund may be dead. Slotkin wants to make sure
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Joey Garrison, Aysha Bagchi and Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY NETWORK / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
