All articles tagged with #judgment fund
A Washington Post explainer outlines nearly $1.8 billion set aside to compensate people the administration says were wrongly investigated or prosecuted, clarifying how the fund would be financed (notably via the Judgment Fund), how payouts would be distributed, and the legal and transparency scrutiny it faces—including questions about whether Jan. 6 cases could be eligible.
The DOJ’s plan to pay nearly $1.8 billion from the Judgment Fund to those alleging weaponization of the legal system has triggered questions about its legality, eligibility criteria, and oversight. Some experts say the fund can be legally authorized under the Judgment Fund, while others warn it bypasses Congress and lacks transparent rules, risking abuse. Lawmakers from both parties are pushing for safeguards, and lawsuits question who has standing to challenge the arrangement.
Trump is reportedly negotiating a settlement that would drop his $10B IRS lawsuit in exchange for creating a $1.7B fund (via the Judgment Fund) to compensate people he says were targeted by the Biden administration, potentially including more than 1,500 January 6 defendants; terms reportedly include an IRS audit waiver and a public apology, though the White House has not commented. The roundup also highlights other Trump-connected political moves and headlines.
Trump reportedly negotiates a settlement of his $10B suit against the IRS that would drop the case in exchange for creating a $1.7B fund from the Judgment Fund to compensate people he says were targeted by the Biden administration, including over 1,500 January 6 participants. Critics warn it could serve as a slush fund for allies and reflect improper presidential influence over the DOJ; legal groups warn of a collusive settlement, while the court has asked for briefs by May 20. If fully paid, the settlement would substantially boost Trump’s net worth and set a troubling precedent for taxpayer funds.
The Interior Department plans to reimburse TotalEnergies about $1 billion in 2022 offshore-wind lease fees in exchange for abandoning U.S. offshore wind projects and investing in fossil-fuel infrastructure, a move that raises questions about the department’s authority to issue refunds and could face legal challenges from states and affected communities; the funds would likely come from the Judgment Fund since there’s no clear statutory process for such reimbursements.