$1.7 BILLION ANTI-WEAPONIZATION FUND

TOP LINE

The Justice Department announced the creation of a $1.7 billion “anti-weaponization fund” to address financial losses stemming from lawfare — the use of government power to target political opponents for “improper and unlawful” reasons.

The fund was established following a settlement between the Internal Revenue Service and President Trump. The settlement resolved Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS after his tax returns were illegally leaked to the media between 2017 and 2020.

Under the agreement, the President will receive a formal apology but no monetary payment or damages.

While criticism has been especially intense from Democrats, it is worth noting that they were largely silent when two former FBI employees, Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, were collectively awarded $2 million in settlements after their anti-Trump text messages were leaked to the media.

This smacks of a double standard and raises the question: Is the $1.7 billion “anti-weaponization fund” a mechanism for justice or a political payoff?

DEEP DIVE: PRECEDENT FOR SETTLEMENTS

Before the “anti-weaponization fund” was set up, former National Security Adviser retired Gen. Mike Flynn and Trump campaign aide Carter Page obtained settlements totaling $1.25 million to resolve claims of malicious prosecution and illegal surveillance related to the 2016 Russia collusion investigations.

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My investigative reporting over the last decade has revealed clear evidence that members of the Trump team — including Page, Flynn and others — were targeted using the full power and resources of the federal government.

Under the agreement with the IRS, the “anti-weaponization fund” has the power to issue “formal apologies and monetary relief.” There are no partisan requirements to file a claim. Any money left when the fund ceases operations in 2028 will revert to the federal government.

Legacy media has been silent on an essential point: There is precedent for the Trump fund.

In 2010, the Obama Administration created a $760 million fund for claims of mistreatment and discrimination by the federal government against Native American farmers.

According to a Reuters story in 2010, the so-called Keepseagle settlement fund would compensate Native American farmers for years of alleged discriminatory practices by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The fund operated during the two terms of the Obama administration.

REUTERS REPORTED:

“Compensation in the so-called Keepseagle case… from 1981-99 would be paid from a federal judgment fund and not require congressional action, said officials. Some $680 million will be available to pay discrimination claims approved by an impartial adjudicator and USDA will provide up to $80 million in forgiveness of farm-loan debts.”

Similar to the Trump “anti-weaponization fund,” the 2010 Obama fund required no congressional approval. The money also came from the Treasury Department’s Judgment Fund, which pays court judgments and settlements against the federal government.

But there are key differences.

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