WASHINGTON–A MoveOn Political Action petition is calling on Congress to block Trump’s newly created $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” established by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche through the settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS and the Treasury Department. 

In less than 24 hours, the MoveOn petition has garnered more than 27,385 signatures and counting. 

MoveOn’s Political Action Chief Communications Officer Joel Payne said, “Trump’s outrageous slush fund is giving peak abuse of power at the expense of the American people.” He continued, “The same Department of Justice that has failed to release the Epstein files and protect victims has granted Trump carte blanche to give money to insurrectionists. Everyday Americans can’t afford healthcare, gas, or the cost of utilities, but Trump is greasing the wheels with his cronies to take our tax dollars to hand out billions in payouts for his MAGA allies. This type of unprecedented corruption cannot go unchecked.”  

This slush fund seeks to reward Trump allies like those who attacked the nation’s Capitol on January 6, those involved in peddling conspiracies around the 2020 election, and others like the Proud Boys, who Trump is seeking to financially compensate.

There are also few details that provide information on how the money should be used or how claims for compensation might be evaluated. Many ethics experts, and even Republicans in Congress, have raised concerns. The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington is calling it “one of the single most corrupt acts in American history.”

“A multi-billion dollar slush fund that seeks to reward Trump allies who have flouted the Constitution, peddled election conspiracy theories, and might have been involved in the deadly attack on our nation’s Capitol on January 6th must not be allowed to move forward,” the petition states. “The precedent this sends could be devastating and reverberate for decades to come. Congress must hear us loud and clear: Block the creation of the ‘anti-weaponization’ slush fund.” 

###

MoveOn is a people-powered force for progress. MoveOn mobilizes the left to elect Democrats and enact progressive change. We are the home base for millions of members who refuse to accept the status quo and are moved to take action. For more than a generation, MoveOn has been a bulwark against the radical right, channeling our voices to end wars, protect democracy, and advance justice for all.