RANKING MEMBER MENG DEMANDS ANSWERS FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION REGARDING ITS PLAN TO FUNNEL TAXPAYER MONEY TO LAWBREAKERS AND INSURRECTIONISTS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche opposing the Trump Administration's plan to potentially give $1.8 billion in taxpayer dollars to people who have broken federal law, including violent insurrectionists and those who assaulted police officers.

Meng sent the letter in response to a purported settlement that President Trump's Department of Justice (DOJ) reached with President Trump to resolve his personal $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The arrangement would establish a nearly $1.8 billion fund to compensate Trump supporters, including those who claim they were "targeted" by the Biden Administration. The settlement would also take the unprecedented step of restricting the IRS from investigating the President and his family members over tax matters "forever." The proposal, which the Trump Administration is calling the "Anti-Weaponization Fund", would give the President and his hand-picked political appointees unprecedented influence over a slush fund of taxpayer dollars and the legal system.

In her letter to the Acting Attorney General, Ranking Member Meng said, "I am writing to express my strong opposition to the 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' as explained in the proposed settlement agreement in the case of Trump v. IRS and in your May 18, 2026, order. I am deeply concerned that this fund is nontransparent; that it ignores and disrespects the Federal courts as the proper venue for consideration of individual claims against Federal agencies; and, worst of all, that this plan will inevitably result in $1.776 billion in taxpayer funding being handed over to individuals who have violated the laws of the United States, including persons who have participated in violent insurrection, assaulted police officers, and compromised the national security of the United States. This is completely unacceptable."

Meng's letter includes a series of questions asking for, among other things, detailed background on the terms of the settlement, whether members of violent extremist organizations would qualify for these funds, and why DOJ would keep confidential the information regarding the payments.

A copy of the letter can be viewed here.