Growing list of convicts political Operatives, January 6th rioters and disgraced Trump supporters reportedly preparing to demand taxpayer payment from president donald trump’s A controversial new $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization fund” increasingly resembles a federally backed MAGA slush fund, program critics say.
Among the names now publicly associated with the fund are former Congressman George Santos, Proud Boys Chairman Enrique Tarrio;illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, washington post report.
The fund was established several days ago as part of a temporary settlement to resolve President Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax returns. Under the agreement, the Justice Department established a taxpayer-funded compensation pool, administered by President Trump, for people who say they are victims of political “weaponization” by the federal government.
Critics across the political spectrum have called the deal unprecedented, corrupt and unconstitutional. maryland Representative Jamie Raskin called the fund a “slush fund.”
Current and former police officers injured in the Jan. 6 attack filed a lawsuit Wednesday seeking to stop the incident altogether. And now it appears some of the country’s most notorious Trump figures are cashing in.
Santos, former openly gay Republican lawmaker new yorkHe was expelled from Congress in 2023 after a fierce investigation by the House Ethics Committee found evidence that he used campaign funds to buy luxury goods, Botox treatments, pay for OnlyFans subscriptions and personal expenses while falsifying much of his background. Federal prosecutors later confirmed his conviction after he pled guilty to charges related to fraud and campaign finance crimes.
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His political rise and implosion became one of the defining scandals of the post-Trump Republican Party. As a candidate, he lied about his education, work history, religion, family background, and finances, briefly becoming a national conservative celebrity in Congress and a prolific figure in right-wing media.
Late last year, President Trump pardoned Santos, greatly reducing the legal consequences of his conviction, reigniting anger among ethics watchdog groups and former members of Congress.
Now Santos is said to be hoping for more than leniency. According to washington posthe believes he deserves an “apology.”
Mr. Tarrio reportedly indicated he could seek $2 million to $5 million from the fund after serving time for seditious conspiracy related to the Capitol riot. President Trump later pardoned him, along with more than 1,500 other defendants involved in the riot.
Mr. Blagojevich once tried to sell the president before becoming a symbol of bipartisan political excess with a corruption conviction. barack obama’s The Senate seat is also reportedly considering applications. Trump commuted his sentence during his first term and later granted a full pardon.
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The list of applicants reportedly extends beyond politicians and mobsters. Lawyers representing hundreds of defendants in the Jan. 6 case said their clients were already calculating the financial losses from prosecution, imprisonment, job loss and reputational damage. Prominent figures in right-wing media and Trump supporters are also seeking claims.
The fund’s structure has alarmed legal scholars and ethics experts because it gives the Trump administration significant discretion. A five-member committee appointed primarily by Trump allies will determine eligibility and payments. Many payment records may remain confidential.
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Democrats have already promised an investigation if they regain control of Congress in the midterm elections.
“This settlement looks completely collusive at first glance,” said Rep. Becca Balint. said washington post. “This is complete and utter insanity.”
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
