Story perspectives

Trump Seeks $1.8 B Commission, Sues IRS, DOJ Staff Plummets

5/18/2026

Left

Trump Seeks Control

$1.8 billion Truth and Justice Commission would let President Donald Trump appoint and fire members and keep award decisions secret.
The Justice Department is negotiating a settlement that could direct taxpayer funds to pardoned January 6 participants.
President Donald Trump sued the IRS for $10 billion over leaked tax returns.
John Keller said DOJ public-integrity staff fell from 40 to two, chilling corruption prosecutions.

Right

Residents Demand Removal

Roseland residents demanded a vote of no confidence and removal of Council President Mike Schalk at Thursday night council meeting.
Council President Mike Schalk denied the allegations and said he will not step down, planning to finish his four-year term.
Residents worried about a $70,000 snow-plow bill and insufficient budget for Police Night Out.
State investigation started in January after audit revealed missing checks and questionable clerk-treasurer spending.

Center

Trump, Musk Investigated

Corruption investigations now simultaneously target the U.S. president, a leading tech billionaire, and a senior Ukrainian official.
U.S. President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and former Ukrainian chief of staff Andriy Yermak each face investigations ongoing as of May 2026.
U.S. District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan rejected Musk’s $1.5 million SEC settlement, citing special-treatment concerns.
Kyiv court set Andriy Yermak’s bail at $3.2 million and noted his alleged astrologer use.

Blindspot

Left coverage emphasized federal actions such as the proposed $1.8 billion Truth and Justice Commission and Trump’s $10 billion IRS lawsuit, which Right coverage did not include.
Right coverage focused on Roseland municipal concerns and did not address the DOJ pardons, settlement negotiations, and staff reductions highlighted by the Left.

History

Historical Context

In May 1973 the Senate Watergate Committee, chaired by Sam Ervin, began televised hearings that produced a seven-volume, 1,250-page report on June 27 1974 and led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation in August 1974. The scandal’s legacy of congressional oversight shapes today’s probes of former President Donald Trump, billionaire Elon Musk and Ukrainian official Andriy Yermak.

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Trump Seeks Control

$1.8 billion Truth and Justice Commission would let President Donald Trump appoint and fire members and keep award decisions secret.
The Justice Department is negotiating a settlement that could direct taxpayer funds to pardoned January 6 participants.
President Donald Trump sued the IRS for $10 billion over leaked tax returns.
John Keller said DOJ public-integrity staff fell from 40 to two, chilling corruption prosecutions.

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