A Fund Gone Wrong
This letter to the editor, by Cheri Evjen, appeared in the Hudson Star Observer on June 11, 2026.
Editor’s note: After this letter was sent, the Trump administration abandoned the anti-weaponization fund amid political backlash. It has been slightly updated for clarity.
People like having issues relating to the government explained in simple terms. For example, how did Donald Trump manage to secure $1.776 billion of taxpayer money without making a case for “damages” or appearing in front of a judge?
Trump sued the IRS, which he controls, for $10 billion. The Department of Justice, which he also controls, approved a settlement of $1.776 billion before Judge Kathleen M. Williams could throw out the entire case.
Judge Williams said there were no adversaries in the original lawsuit. She reminded us that Trump was suing Trump. He brought the case, was responsible for defending the government and controlled the settlement terms.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump’s former personal attorney, signed off on the deal. But wait, there’s more. A board controlled by Trump will oversee slush fund payments. Also, Trump, his family and their businesses get immunity from audits or federal government inspections.
This crooked deal is bad for America today and could be ever worse in the future. Presidents from either party would be free to run similar or even worse scams.
Remember that none of this was granted by a judge. Trump or his allies controlled every aspect from start to finish.
A federal judge has suspended the distribution of any money until the slush fund’s legality can be determined by a court. Thirty-five former federal judges, appointed by presidents from both parties, signed a letter which described “collusion” between the president’s lawyers and the federal government to allow “looting” of tax dollars. These judges also pointed out that “the lawsuit itself is a fraud on the court.”
Bipartisan opposition to the fund has emerged and congressional Republicans have asserted their constitutional powers. Now, they should investigate how a corrupt deal got this far.
Congress has been given a golden opportunity to restore the separation of powers, embrace transparency in government and return to the rule of law. If they don’t take it, it is our responsibility to elect representatives who will do so.