Pardon Me While I Rant a Bit

May 21, 2026

I just have to get this out of my system before I can try to write thoughtful essay.

If this “Anti-Weaponization Fund” is not a high crime, what is?

This is theft of Treasury funds for personal gain. This is not an official act; it is related to Trump’s personal finances.

The “1.776” in $1.776 billion is not an estimate. It is specific and sends a message about whom the fund was created for and who should be submitting claims. This is a reward fund.

It is appalling that people who were convicted of crimes related to the insurrection that Trump incited not only were pardoned by him, which also wiped out any obligations to pay restitution, but now are being invited to apply for compensation themselves.

I think that the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, along with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, should be first in line to receive compensation.

I think all of the people who have been wrongfully detained, arrested, or deported by ICE, CBP, and the DOJ should file claims.

I think Trump is daring Republicans to stop him. Will they? Will Mike Johnson claim ignorance of the settlement and the fund, saying he’s been “a little busy” with other things? Will he say he needs to “read up on it” or “pray over it”?

Todd Blanche previously worked as a criminal defense attorney for Trump. Now that he is Acting AG, how is it not a glaring conflict of interest for him to be involved in this “settlement”? It is crystal clear that Trump considers the DOJ to be his personal legal team.

Does the Addendum filed on May 19 protect Trump (and others) from charges related to the Epstein investigation?