How the $1.8 Billion Trump Fund May Violate Past Practice and Policy

A $1.8 billion fund created by the Trump administration aims to pay people who claim mistreatment by the federal government. Legal experts say the fund may violate longstanding Justice Department standards and a policy directive issued the previous year. Todd Blanche defended the fund at a Senate hearing, describing it as unusual but appropriate and consistent with past settlements. Justice Department veterans dispute that characterization, especially a provision granting President Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization immunity from tax penalties. Critics also question resolving a lawsuit in a way that directs more than a billion dollars to a different category of people. They further say the fund may contradict a policy that largely prohibited payments to groups not involved in the underlying lawsuit. Some Republican lawmakers expressed doubt, and a bill was introduced to stop the fund.

"The deal struck between the president's lawyers and his own administration, without oversight of a judge, could involve major payouts to people who had not sued the government, as well. Some Republican lawmakers, such as Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and David Schweikert of Arizona, have expressed doubt over the fund, and Representative Jamie Raskin, Democrat of Maryland, introduced a bill to stop it."

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