John,

Trump’s Justice Department created a $1.8 billion so-called “anti-weaponization” fund that could send taxpayer money to political allies, MAGA loyalists, Jan. 6 defendants, and others claiming they were unfairly targeted by the government.¹

This is a breathtaking misuse of public money. At a time when families are struggling with rent, groceries, health care, child care, and utility bills, Trump’s administration has set up a massive compensation fund for political grievance, with enormous discretion and no clear public standard showing that this money would go to people based on a legitimate claim.

The fund grew out of Trump’s lawsuit over the leak of his tax returns. He sued, his own administration “settled,” and now taxpayers could be forced to finance a payout structure controlled by a board of 5 handpicked by Trump’s Justice Department, able to be dismissed by Trump at any time.

The deal is even more dangerous because it blocks the IRS from auditing or pursuing tax cases tied to Trump, his family, and his businesses. That means the same arrangement that could send checks to Trump-aligned claimants could also help shield one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the country from tax accountability (one case alone could save Trump an estimated $100 million²).

The self-dealing is so rank that 35 retired federal judges filed a motion³ with the court urging the judge to reopen the case, claiming that Trump deceived the court by not making clear that the “settlement” involved the slush fund and cessation of any tax claims against Trump and family.

Send a message to Congress demanding they stop Trump’s $1.8 billion slush fund and block taxpayer money from being used for this corrupt scheme.

Budgets show priorities. Congress keeps claiming there is not enough money to fully fund housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, child care, disability services, and other programs that help low-income people meet basic needs. But somehow, Trump’s Justice Department found a way to create a nearly $1.8 billion fund for political allies and people claiming “lawfare.”

That money should be used to reduce hardship, expand opportunity, and strengthen communities. It should help people afford food, medicine, rent, and care. It should support programs that make life more secure for children, seniors, people with disabilities, and families with low incomes.

Instead, this fund would make even more rigid the two-tier system Trump has spent years reinforcing. Ordinary people face harsh rules, underfunded services, and aggressive enforcement when they make mistakes. The wealthy, powerful, and politically connected get special deals, special treatment, and now, potentially, taxpayer-funded payouts.

Rep. Jamie Raskin has introduced legislation to block taxpayer money from being spent on this dangerous scheme.⁴ Congress must act quickly, demand full transparency, and make clear that public dollars should meet public needs, not reward political loyalty or insulate Trump’s circle from accountability.

Tell Congress to shut down Trump’s $1.8 billion slush fund and redirect public money toward real human needs.

Thank you for all you do,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, CHN Action

¹ 'I'm not greedy': January 6 rioters and Trump allies eye $1.8 billion 'weaponization' fund
² With Trump’s Deal, a Possible $100 Million I.R.S. Penalty Melts Away
³ Motion for Relief from Judgment or Order, or, in the Alternative, for Leave to Appear as Amici Curiae by Thirty-Five Former Federal Judges
⁴ Democrats move to shut down Trump's $1.8B "weaponization" fund