Walkinshaw Statement on Trump’s $1.7 Billion Plan to Cut Checks to Political Allies with Taxpayer Dollars

This press release from Representative James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA) was published on 2026-05-15 and titled "Walkinshaw Statement on Trump’s $1.7 Billion Plan to Cut Checks to Political Allies with Taxpayer Dollars".

Walkinshaw Statement on Trump’s $1.7 Billion Plan to Cut Checks to Political Allies with Taxpayer Dollars

Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, issued the following statement on reports that President Trump is moving to create a $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded fund for January 6 defendants, Trump-connected entities, and MAGA allies. “New reporting shows Donald Trump is moving to create a $1.7 billion slush fund to cut checks with your tax dollars to January 6 defendants, Trump-connected entities, and MAGA allies claiming they were wrongfully targeted by the Biden Administration. No oversight. No transparency. No accountability. Families are stretching every paycheck to keep food on the table, gas in the tank, and a roof over their heads. Meanwhile, President Trump is reaching into those same taxpayers’ pockets to reward his political allies instead of lowering costs or helping working families. Let’s call this what it is: corruption in plain sight. President Trump and his allies are openly stealing from the American people by using the machinery of government to reward political loyalists with taxpayer money. Congress has the power of the purse, and we have an obligation to use it to stop this abuse.” ###