It is an unprecedented move that would allow the Trump administration to pay out compensation to its supporters with taxpayer money through a government agency under its control. The decision comes after Trump dropped a $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over alleged leaks of his tax returns.
Trump will not receive money from the fund, but will receive a formal apology, the Justice Department said. The so-called “anti-abuse” fund, whose amount symbolically recalls the year 1776, is likely to be the subject of immediate litigation by Democrats and government watchdogs. Critics claim that it is a matter of corruption and political favoritism of Trump’s allies.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the goal is to correct injustices and prevent abuse of the state apparatus against citizens. The fund will be managed by a committee of five members who have not yet been appointed, and Trump will have the right to remove them. Requests for compensation can be submitted until December 15, 2028.
Trump and his sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, sued the IRS and the Treasury Department over leaking tax records from his first term in office. Former IRS employee Charles Littlejohn was sentenced to five years in prison for releasing Trump and other tax records.
CNN reports that federal judge Kathleen Williams expressed doubt about the merits of the case and warned of possible legal problems surrounding the settlement between the president and an agency within the executive branch.
The settlement comes after similar cases by Trump allies. Michael Flynn was awarded more than $1 million in March after suing the government, while Carter Page reached a settlement in April over what he claims was illegal FBI surveillance during the 2016 election.
(Vijesti.ba)
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