Democrats move to shut down Trump's $1.8B "weaponization" fund

Andrew Solender

Man in a dark suit and striped tie speaks into a microphone at a formal hearing, with a blurred colleague beside him; American flag and gold curtains behind. — Rep. Jamie Raskin speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing at the Capitol on March 4. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee is introducing legislation that would block a $1.8 billion fund to pay people who say they were the targets of politically-motivated prosecutions.

Why it matters: Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) could garner GOP support for the effort, with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) telling reporters on Wednesday he will "try to kill" the fund.

"We're going to write a letter to the [attorney general] to start, but we're considering a legislative option," Fitzpatrick said.
Raskin is eyeing a discharge petition as a backup option to force a vote on his measure if House Republican leadership blocks it from coming to the floor, a spokesperson confirmed to Axios.

Driving the news: The bill, a copy of which was shared with Axios, stipulates that "no Federal funds may be used to create or make payments to fund" the Trump administration's "Anti-Weaponization Fund."

The fund is the result of a settlement between Trump and the IRS, reached after Trump sued the agency over the leaking of his tax returns.
The fund would allow anyone who has accused the federal government of politically motivated "lawfare" — such as Jan. 6 defendants — to seek compensation.
Two law enforcement officers who were at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, have sued to dissolve it.
A Justice Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Democrats move to shut down Trump's $1.8B "weaponization" fund

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