Democrats move to shut down Trump’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund

The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee is introducing legislation that would block a $1.8 billion fund to pay people who say they were the targets of politically motivated prosecutions.

Why it matters: Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) could garner GOP support for the effort, with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) telling reporters on Wednesday he will “try to kill” the fund.

• “We’re going to write a letter to the [attorney general] to start, but we’re considering a legislative option,” Fitzpatrick said.
• Raskin is eyeing a discharge petition as a backup option to force a vote on his measure if House Republican leadership blocks it from coming to the floor, a spokesperson confirmed to Axios.

Driving the news: The bill, a copy of which was shared with Axios, stipulates that “no Federal funds may be used to create or make payments to fund” the Trump administration’s Anti-Weaponization Fund.

• The fund is the result of a settlement between Trump and the IRS, reached after Trump sued the agency over the leaking of his tax returns.
• The fund would allow anyone who has accused the federal government of politically motivated “lawfare” — such as Jan. 6 defendants — to seek compensation.
• Two law enforcement officers who were at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, have sued to dissolve the fund.
• A Justice Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

المصدر: Axios