WASHINGTON, D.C.— A controversial settlement involving President Donald Trump, his sons, the IRS and the Department of Justice is drawing sharp political reaction tonight.
The settlement is expected to face legal and political scrutiny as voters head to the polls in several key primary states this week.
Tuesday afternoon, the Department of Justice announced the settlement is expanding. The DOJ memo released Tuesday states the government is now “forever barred” from examining or prosecuting Trump, his sons or the Trump Organization over current tax matters. The expanded settlement reportedly only refers to existing audits.
It’s all part of a deal to resolve Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns during his first term.
On Monday, the DOJ announced the settlement will create a $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” — money that would go to people who claim they were targeted or unfairly investigated during the Biden administration. The move is already sparking backlash because the program could include compensation for some January 6 rioters, using taxpayer dollars.
The DOJ said Trump himself will not receive any money under the deal, but he will receive a formal apology. Trump filed the lawsuit against the IRS in his capacity as a citizen, and not as president. The case has also been dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be filed again.
In a press briefing at the White House Tuesday, Vice President JD Vance was asked about the message the fund sends to voters, including those who are heading to the polls to choose their parties’ nominees in half a dozen states on Tuesday amid rising prices and inflation.
“We’ve delivered great wins for the American people. We ran on delivering tax cuts to the American people, which we did. The largest tax cuts in American history,” said Vance.
“I reject the idea that we can’t walk and chew gum at the same time. We can give just compensation to people who are mistreated by the government. We can also make sure that the American people, we do everything that we can to make their lives better, to make them more prosperous, to give them better jobs. That is the primary focus of Donald J. Trump’s White House,” Vance added.
During the briefing, the vice president did not rule out whether January 6 rioters who physically assaulted law enforcement could be eligible to receive compensation from the taxpayer-funded “Anti-Weaponization Fund.” However, Vance stressed that all claims would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
The vice president also acknowledged the impact of the war with Iran on the American economy.
“We are very aware that because of what’s going on in the Middle East, gas prices have gone up and a lot of Americans are struggling because of that,” Vance said. “Our view is that it is a temporary increase. We’re taking a number of steps to try to push back against it and try to ensure that Americans are paying as little at the pump as possible. But I feel quite confident after we’ve taken care of business in the Middle East, those prices are going to come down.”
