House Democrats are moving to block what critics are calling Donald Trump’s new $1.8 billion political slush fund after the DOJ announced a massive settlement tied to Trump’s lawsuit over his leaked tax returns.
The Department of Justice revealed plans for what it’s calling “The Anti-Weaponization Fund” after Trump agreed to drop his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS. According to the DOJ, the fund would hand out monetary payments and formal apologies to people who claim they were targeted by government “weaponization” during the Biden years.
The money — a staggering $1.776 billion — would come directly from the federal government’s judgment fund, meaning taxpayer dollars.
That immediately triggered outrage from Democrats, who argue the fund could become a giant cash pipeline for Trump allies, January 6 supporters, and political loyalists under the guise of victim compensation.
In response, 93 House Democrats filed a legal motion challenging the settlement and urging the court to shut it down before any money gets distributed.
“This President has continually asserted a maximalist view of his own Executive authority,” Democrats wrote in the filing, warning that Trump’s actions raise “serious questions” about abuse of power and manipulation of the court system.
House Judiciary Democrats blasted the proposal online, accusing Trump of trying to create a taxpayer-funded reward system for political allies through what they described as a “sham” lawsuit.
BREAKING: 93 House Democrats have filed a motion to block Trump’s self-dealing settlement in his sham $10 billion IRS lawsuit, which would create a $1.7 billion slush fund for Jan. 6 rioters and political allies. https://t.co/OfRvhjeWat pic.twitter.com/ZBI3RfekKO
— House Judiciary Dems (@HouseJudiciary) May 18, 2026
Leading the legal challenge are Reps. Jamie Raskin, Joe Neguse, Richard Neal, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
The brief asks Judge Kathleen Williams to closely scrutinize the settlement and potentially dismiss the case altogether.
Critics say the entire situation fits a familiar pattern: Trump using the machinery of government not for public service, but to reward loyalists and settle personal political scores using public money.
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