Trump dismisses $10bn suit against IRS and creates $1.7bn ‘anti-weaponization’ fund
Democrats criticize deal as a slush fund that funnels taxpayer dollars' to president's political allies
The justice department announced on Monday it was creating a loosely controlled and secretive $1.776bn fund to compensate Donald Trump allies as part of an agreement in which Trump and his sons dropped a $10bn longshot lawsuit against the IRS.
The money, which critics said was essentially a slush fund, will be overseen by five commissioners - four of whom would be appointed by the attorney general and removable by Trump - who would oversee the body's work. A fifth commissioner will be appointed in consultation" with congressional leadership. The fund also has the power to issue formal apologies" and will send a quarterly confidential report to the US attorney general outlining who has been paid from the fund. There is no requirement that the fund's work be made public.
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