A Democratic congressional staffer flagged an eye-popping provision in the massive fund established by the Department of Justice to pay off President Donald Trump's allies.
DOJ set aside $1.776 billion in taxpayer funds to compensate Trump allies, including Jan. 6 rioters already pardoned by the president, who say they were unfairly targeted by previous administrations, but legislative staffer Aaron Fritschner called attention to one clause regarding how the payments may be used.
"Once the funds are deposited into the Designated Account, the United States has no liability whatsoever for the protection or safeguarding of those funds, regardless of bank failure, fraudulent transfers, or any other fraud or misuse of the funds," the provision states.
Fritschner, the deputy chief of staff to Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), said the clause appeared to show the administration attempting to distance itself from criminal activity funded by the payouts.
"Incredible – Trump's $2 billion taxpayer-subsidized slush fund comes with a legal disclaimer that basically says 'we are not responsible for any crimes committed with this money,'" Fritschner posted on Bluesky.
Other social media users pored over additional provisions in the fund and highlighted ways in which the taxpayer dollars could be misused.
"The terms of Trump's slush fund appear to transfer control of $1.8 billion outside of US government entirely," pointed out The New Republic's Greg Sargent. "That seems to circumvent Congress completely and put the payments to 'victims of 'weaponization' beyond any congressional oversight or constitutional/legal constraints."
"It sounds like some enterprising hacker could siphon the money out of the account, and there would be no consequences," suggested Bluesky user Expel the Sedition Caucus.
"[Section] E here means we're going to get Trump allies 'volunteering' to do luxury travel and propaganda creation on the taxpayer dime," noted Seth Meyers, of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
"According to the settlement, the funds don't have to be directed anywhere except a 'designated account,'" said architecture professor Matt Johnson. "His supporters will likely never see a dime."
"The terms of the 'settlement' ordered by Trump's personal criminal defense lawyer, Todd Blanche, now 'acting' as Attorney-General, purports to protect Trump and his family against any charges of fraud or embezzlement in relation to disposal of the funds," emphasized Bluesky user Meehawl.
"There's probably a good reason for this," argued legal expert Marcy Wheeler, noting the case of a pardoned Jan 6 rioter later convicted of sexual abuse. "Andrew Paul Johnson was going to use his payoff to bribe the children (one was an 11-yo boy when he fondled him) he molested."
