Trump's $1.8 Billion Slush Fund Is Worse Than Stealing

"Among the very first things Donald Trump did upon assuming the powers of the presidency for the second time was commute the sentences of, and grant pardons to, everybody involved in his attempt to overturn the 2020 election. Republican allies expressed moderate disappointment but vowed to move past this ugly blemish. Senator Susan Collins called it a "terrible day for our Justice Department." Senator Tommy Tuberville admitted, "It's a hard one, because we work with them up here," referring to Capitol Police who were viciously beaten by Trump's allies. Tuberville concluded, "At the end of the day, we've got to get Jan. 6 behind us.""

"It was not, however, just one terrible day. Trump's loyalty to his most violent and criminal supporters was a signal of his highest priority and has been a reliable guide to his decisions ever since. The impulse to rewrite the history of January 6, 2021, appears to be the inspiration even for the establishment of a $1.8 billion Treasury Department slush fund for victims of so-called weaponization of government."

"Last week, when the administration floated the notion of dispersing payments to alleged victims of government weaponization, cynics assumed that Trump meant to divert the money to himself. But this assessment may have turned out to be too naive. Trump already has ample ways to profit from office, including from stock trading with the benefit of inside knowledge and by accepting gifts from client states. The Justice Department told reporters yesterday that Trump, his sons, and his family business would not receive payments from the fund. The recipients will almost surely be insurrectionists and other allies."

"From the February 2026 issue: Donald Trump wants you to forget this happened How, exactly, can Trump hand out taxpayer dollars at his whim? The putative mechanism is a settlement wi"

Sentences were commuted and pardons granted to people involved in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election. Republican allies expressed disappointment but said they would move on. Susan Collins called it a terrible day for the Justice Department, while Tommy Tuberville said it was hard because lawmakers work with Capitol Police and concluded that Jan. 6 must be left behind. John Thune said Republicans were looking forward. The loyalty shown to violent and criminal supporters is presented as a consistent guide for decisions. The same impulse to rewrite January 6 history is linked to a proposed $1.8 billion Treasury Department fund for alleged victims of government weaponization, with payments likely going to insurrectionists and allies.

Read at The Atlantic