The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee on Sunday criticized a proposed fund to compensate allies of President Donald Trump, calling it a “political slush fund” that he said is both illegal and unconstitutional.
Raskin Denounces Proposed Compensation Fund
Rep. Jamie Raskin, the committee’s ranking member, told ABC News’ This Week that Congress never approved the creation of the $1.776 billion fund at the Department of Justice. “Only Congress has the power to appropriate money, and Congress never voted on creating this $1.7 billion political slush fund, and Congress would never pass that,” he said. Raskin added that even if Congress wanted to authorize the fund, it would still be unconstitutional.
Trump’s Settlement Proposal
ABC News reported Thursday that Trump is expected to drop his $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service in exchange for the creation of the fund. The money would be used to settle claims from individuals who allege they were wrongfully targeted by the Biden administration, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Raskin said the proposed fund represents another example of what he called Trump’s efforts to establish “political slush funds.” He argued that creating the fund outside of congressional oversight violates constitutional limits on spending.
Concerns Over Jan. 6 Pardons
A commission overseeing the compensation fund would have authority to settle claims brought by nearly 1,600 individuals charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, as well as entities linked to Trump.
Raskin said that providing payments to these now-pardoned rioters could violate the Fourteenth Amendment. “Section 4 of the Fourteenth Amendment says that no money can be spent by the federal government for the purposes of paying for insurrection or rebellion,” he explained. “To give a million dollars to each of 1,600 pardoned rioters and insurrectionists would be an unconstitutional use of money.”
Congress Urged to Intervene
Raskin called on Congress to prevent the fund from moving forward. When asked whether Democrats might file lawsuits, he replied, “Undoubtedly, we will.” He emphasized that Congress, as the Article I branch, holds the power over spending and must use it to block unconstitutional actions. “If our Republican colleagues have any respect for the Constitution and the powers of Congress, they will move to block it,” he said.
