Trump’s $1.8 Billion Boondoggle: A Slick Move or Just Another Delayed Con?

The saga of the “anti-weaponization” fund, a $1.8 billion slush fund meant to benefit President Donald Trump and his allies, has taken another twist with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issuing an order rescinding the fund.

Blanche’s order was released late Sunday night in response to pressure from Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who had been holding out on Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general until they received assurances that the fund would be terminated and the scope of an immunity deal narrowed. The senators’ concerns were reportedly addressed by Blanche’s order, which specifies that the fund “shall have no force or effect” and states that there is “no fund.”

However, critics argue that this language may not be legally binding due to the initial settlement agreement between the IRS and Trump, which notes that any modifications to the fund can only be made with the written agreement of all parties involved. Blanche’s order was signed by him alone, without any indication that the other parties had agreed to it.

This raises the possibility that Blanche could simply rescind his own order in the future and declare the fund back in effect. The implications are far-reaching: if the fund is indeed revived, it would be a major victory for Trump’s allies, who have been seeking to use it as a way to evade accountability for their actions.

The fund was originally meant to benefit individuals who felt that they had been wronged by the judicial system, but critics have argued that it has been used as a means of rewarding political loyalty rather than addressing legitimate grievances. The fact that Cornyn and Tillis are now supporting Blanche’s confirmation is seen by some as a major victory for Trump, but others argue that it is simply a delaying tactic.

By getting the senators to drop their opposition, Trump may be able to get his allies in place at the DOJ without having to actually terminate the fund. This would allow him to maintain control over the agency and continue to use it as a tool for his own personal gain.

The consequences of this are not limited to the current administration. If the pattern continues, it could set a precedent for future administrations to use similar tactics to reward their allies and punish their enemies. The rule of law would be undermined, and the very fabric of our democracy would be threatened.

Criminal law professor Carissa Byrne Hessick at the University of North Carolina noted that Blanche’s order contains nothing that would prevent him from reviving the fund once he is confirmed. The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on Blanche’s confirmation on Tuesday, but even if he is confirmed, it may not be a permanent solution.

As the Senate prepares to vote on Blanche’s confirmation, it’s worth asking whether they are truly committed to upholding the principles of justice or if they are simply playing politics as usual. The answer will determine not only the fate of this administration but also the future of our democracy.

The stakes are high, and the consequences of failure are clear. It’s time for us to demand more from our leaders and hold them accountable for their actions. Anything less would be a betrayal of the public trust and a threat to the very foundations of our democracy.