Republicans are plotting to block the Justice Department's $1.8 billion settlement fund, a pot of money designed to compensate people who say they were unfairly targeted by the government. And President Trump has a message for the congressman leading the charge: be careful.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) told MeidasTouch reporter Scott MacFarlane on Wednesday that Republicans are considering legislative action to oppose the fund. “Republicans are going to try to kill it,” Fitzpatrick said.
Fitzpatrick said the GOP plans to draft a letter to the attorney general's office and is exploring various legislative options. “We're trying to unpack exactly what the legal machinations are, but you can't do that,” he added.
The Republican representative also noted that any legislative solution would address the settlement provision that shields Trump, his family, and his businesses from further IRS action. Later, he sent a letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche seeking details about the nearly $2 billion being redirected into the Anti-Weaponization Fund, including the source of the money, the fund's legal purpose, and whether individuals convicted of federal crimes or linked to violence could receive payouts. The inquiry also asks whether past administrations created similar compensation programs without congressional authorization or judicial oversight, requesting answers by June 1. Notably, no other Republican's name or signature was on the letter.
