Recent court order temporarily blocks DOJ’s weaponization of government funds that aim to pay those who committed crimes to help Trump in his efforts to overturn the 2020 election was an even bigger deal than initially reported.
The temporary order blocking the fund gave members of Congress from both parties who oppose it time to work together to kill it.
While it is true that Congress cannot close the already authorized DOJ settlement fund that was diverted for Trump’s purposes, Congress can do something else.
Congress can leave the fund in place, but use its financial power and budgetary authority to change the amount of the fund and impose conditions on how the money is used.
The idea of setting conditions as to who can receive a payment was the first area of interest, and it still remains a popular option. This could also be the path of least legislative resistance.
The partner to impose restrictions on the fund is to change the amount of funds available.
Trump thinks he’s an all-powerful president, but since his revenge tour fried his Senate majority and freed four Republican senators who can now do whatever they want for the rest of the year, the president’s influence over the Senate has vanished.
All of this sets up a week of potentially wild rebellion in the Senate.