Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Monday accused Senate Republicans of preserving tax audit protections for President Donald Trump and his family after reaching a deal with the Justice Department to rescind a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund.
Immunity From Tax Audits
“Senate Republicans are caving on a deal that gives Donald Trump and his family immunity from tax audits potentially worth $100 million,” Warren said in a post on X.
Republican senators reached the agreement after the Justice Department formally rescinded the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund on Sunday but retained a narrower tax-audit provision covering the Trump family.
Blanche Scraps Controversial Fund
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said that the changes followed “good faith discussions” with Republican lawmakers, adding that the order established “beyond any doubt” that the fund no longer exists.
The move came ahead of Tuesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee vote on his nomination to serve as attorney general.
The Justice Department also clarified that the tax-audit provision applies only retroactively to matters open when the agreement took effect and does not extend to future tax filings.
The fund was created as part of a settlement stemming from Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the disclosure of his tax records, an agreement that also included tax-audit protections for Trump and his family.
The proposal drew bipartisan criticism because it could have compensated people claiming politically motivated prosecution, including those convicted in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Deal Removes Key Obstacle to Blanche’s Confirmation
Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) had withheld support for Blanche’s nomination, saying they wanted written assurances that the fund would be permanently terminated.
This removes a major roadblock to Blanche’s confirmation, though he still needs approval from both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the full Senate.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo Courtesy: Bryan J. Scrafford on Shutterstock.com
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