Trump is setting up a $1.8 billion taxpayer-funded pot to pay political allies, including January 6 defendants — bad for taxpayers and the rule of law.

• Trump dropped his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS in exchange for a $1.8 billion fund to "compensate" people who claim the Biden administration wrongfully targeted them.
• The money comes from the Treasury and can be paid out to January 6 rioters Trump already pardoned, and possibly to entities tied to the Trump family.
• A five-member commission picked by Trump's former criminal defense lawyer, now acting attorney general Todd Blanche, decides who gets paid, with no transparency and no court oversight.
• The fine print says the government takes no responsibility for fraud, theft, or misuse once the money is handed out.
• 93 House Democrats have filed a motion to block the settlement, calling it illegal self-dealing since Trump is effectively suing and settling with himself.

Outlook: Democrats are fighting it in court, but with Republicans unwilling to push back, payouts could start flowing before the 2028 deadline.