1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to demand immediate, aggressive Congressional action regarding the unprecedented $1.8 billion "settlement" arrangement orchestrated by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. While I am encouraged that U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema has stepped in to temporarily halt this unconstitutional expansion of executive power, a judicial pause is not enough. This entire arrangement represents a collusive abuse of authority, utilizing a sham civil "settlement" to bypass standard legal channels, distribute public money to private interests, and insulate specific individuals from federal accountability. Before the federal court's June 12 hearing, Congress must exercise its constitutional power of the purse and oversight duties to protect the American people: - Halt the Unauthorized $1.8 Billion Liability Fund: Congress holds the sole constitutional authority to appropriate public funds. Allowing the executive branch to unilaterally direct $1.8 billion of taxpayer money into an unprecedented, politically charged liability fund completely bypasses congressional oversight and sets a dangerous fiscal precedent. - Nullify the Extraordinary Tax Immunity Clause: While public attention has focused on the $1.8 billion fund, the most dangerous provision of this arrangement is the sweeping, forward-looking immunity shielding specific private individuals and businesses from federal tax audits and back-tax claims. This provision effectively codifies a two-tiered justice system, granting a select few a permanent exemption from the basic civic obligations that every other American taxpayer is required to meet. Donald Trump should have no more immunity from federal accountability for his tax filings than any other citizen. The Department of Justice possesses absolutely no legal authority to grant arbitrary, lifelong tax immunity via a civil lawsuit concession. This flagrant violation of equal justice under the law must be explicitly struck down to prevent the establishment of a system where the law applies differently based on status or influence. - Enforce Oversight on Acting AG Todd Blanche: By signing a sham settlement that commits billions in public resources and waives federal regulatory authorities to resolve a private lawsuit, the Acting Attorney General has severely compromised the institutional neutrality of the Department of Justice. Congress must use its committee powers to hold leadership accountable for this abdication of the rule of law. - Protect the Public Treasury from Executive Abuse: Public resources and agency settlements must never be used to insulate private financial interests from standard legal and regulatory accountability. Congress must act immediately to ensure that federal institutions are not used as mechanisms for private financial indemnity. The courts have temporarily done their job to protect the public treasury—now it is time for Congress to do yours. I expect you to act decisively across party lines to protect the integrity of our federal institutions and taxpayer dollars. I am monitoring your response to this and expect you to co-sponsor or support legislation (like that being proposed by Ranking Member Raskin) to block this arrangement permanently.