Democrats and ethics watchdogs file constitutional objections to Trump's proposed $1.7B settlement fund

Democrats and government ethics organizations mounted formal legal and legislative objections on May 15, 2026, to the proposed $1.7 billion weaponization fund drawn from the Treasury Judgment Fund. Rep. Jamie Raskin called it a $1,700,000,000 fraud on the American taxpayer to line the pockets of his MAGA political allies. CREW filed an amicus brief in federal court arguing the settlement would violate the Domestic Emoluments Clause, which bars a president from receiving any payment from the United States beyond the compensation set by Congress. The Tax Law Center warned the DOJ likely lacked authority to bind the IRS to blanket audit restrictions on political allies as part of a settlement agreement.