Speaking of slush funds
The Trump administration signaled that it intended to use the legislatively authorized Judgment Fund to create a $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, which would largely be controlled by the administration to compensate victims of political over-prosecution. The stated rationale was to settle Trump’s $10 billion claim against the IRS for disclosing his personal tax information. The proposal drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans and was recently abandoned.
The Biden administration, based on an imagined reading of legislation, later ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, funneled more than $190 billion in student loan forgiveness, primarily to groups aligned with progressive Democrats, including government employees and teachers. It also assumed control of more than $150 billion in funds, along with roughly $350 billion in loans, to support progressive programs related to energy, climate, and housing.
The Obama administration negotiated banking, environmental, and civil rights settlements that allowed it to direct more than $20 billion—without specific legislative authorization—to consumers and progressive activist groups. Consumer relief came mainly through mortgage principal reductions, loan modifications, refinancing assistance, and related borrower aid. Recipient activist groups included the National Council of La Raza, NeighborWorks America, the National Urban League, the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation.