The US justice department has announced a $1.7bn (£1.3bn) fund to compensate allies of President Donald Trump who allege they were unfairly investigated by the Biden administration. The Anti-Weaponization Fund was unveiled in exchange for the president dropping his $10bn lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over the leak of his tax returns, said the justice department.
Democrats criticised the settlement as a slush fund paid out of taxpayer money for Trump and his cronies from a federal agency overseen by him. The lawsuit's plaintiffs, which include Trump's elder sons and the Trump Organization, will receive an apology, but no monetary compensation, the department said.
Participants in the 2021 US Capitol riot who were pardoned by Trump and others who claim they were targeted by partisan federal investigators will be able to submit claims to the fund.
On Monday, a spokesperson for Trump's legal team said the president was entering into this settlement squarely for the benefit of the American people. He will continue his fight to hold those who wrong America and Americans accountable, the spokesperson added.
Shortly after the dismissal was filed by Trump's legal team, the justice department announced an agreement to establish the so-called Anti-Weaponisation Fund that would provide a systematic process to hear and redress claims of those who suffered under weaponisation and lawfare. The fund will consist of a five-member commission, four of those appointed by the Attorney General, and will receive $1.776 billion to allow the justice department to settle and pay cases.
Maryland congressman Jamie Raskin said it was a slush fund for Trump's private militia of insurrectionists, rioters, and white supremacists. The settlement has raised eyebrows as more than 90 Democrats filed a motion to block it, seeing it as a misuse of federal resources.
Democrats criticised the settlement as a slush fund paid out of taxpayer money for Trump and his cronies from a federal agency overseen by him. The lawsuit's plaintiffs, which include Trump's elder sons and the Trump Organization, will receive an apology, but no monetary compensation, the department said.
Participants in the 2021 US Capitol riot who were pardoned by Trump and others who claim they were targeted by partisan federal investigators will be able to submit claims to the fund.
On Monday, a spokesperson for Trump's legal team said the president was entering into this settlement squarely for the benefit of the American people. He will continue his fight to hold those who wrong America and Americans accountable, the spokesperson added.
Shortly after the dismissal was filed by Trump's legal team, the justice department announced an agreement to establish the so-called Anti-Weaponisation Fund that would provide a systematic process to hear and redress claims of those who suffered under weaponisation and lawfare. The fund will consist of a five-member commission, four of those appointed by the Attorney General, and will receive $1.776 billion to allow the justice department to settle and pay cases.
Maryland congressman Jamie Raskin said it was a slush fund for Trump's private militia of insurrectionists, rioters, and white supremacists. The settlement has raised eyebrows as more than 90 Democrats filed a motion to block it, seeing it as a misuse of federal resources.
