Overview
- The Justice Department announced the creation of the fund on Monday, May 18, as part of a settlement that ended President Trump’s suit against the IRS and endowed the program with $1.776 billion in federal money.
- The fund will stop accepting claims by December 15, 2028, and a five‑member panel appointed by the attorney general will decide awards while the president retains the authority to remove commissioners.
- An amendment to the agreement bars future IRS claims or prosecutions tied to past tax returns for Donald Trump, his family, trusts and businesses, a clause that has intensified criticism in Congress.
- Officials have left eligibility broadly defined so any person who says they were the target of politically motivated prosecutions can apply, with acting AG Todd Blanche saying even Hunter Biden could seek compensation and aides indicating Jan. 6 defendants and anti‑abortion activists might qualify.
- Democrats and civil servants have filed lawsuits and launched hearings calling the fund a taxpayer‑funded conduit for political allies, while critics warn it could set a precedent for presidents to use federal money to benefit supporters and raise questions about transparency and independence.