Story perspectives

Justice Dept Creates $1.776 B Fund, IRS Apologizes to Trump

5/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Justice Department announced a $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund to compensate those it says were targeted by federal lawfare.
Treasury General Counsel Brian Morrissey resigned on May 19, 2026, thanking President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The settlement requires Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to apologize to President Donald Trump, his oldest sons, and family business for leaking tax returns, with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche overseeing claimant selection for the fund.

History

Historical Context

The 1972 Watergate break-in, when five men tied to Nixon’s re-election campaign were arrested, sparked the appointment of special prosecutors and the 1974 United States v. Nixon decision that limited presidential executive privilege. That accountability framework underlies today’s anti-weaponization fund, overseen by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, following Treasury counsel Brian Morrissey’s resignation.

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Story summary

The Justice Department announced a $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund to compensate those it says were targeted by federal lawfare.
Treasury General Counsel Brian Morrissey resigned on May 19, 2026, thanking President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The settlement requires Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to apologize to President Donald Trump, his oldest sons, and family business for leaking tax returns, with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche overseeing claimant selection for the fund.

1 / 2