The American taxpayer needs to be aware that the Trump administration has created a $1.776 billion “fund” for “wronged” allies of the president, after he agreed to discontinue a lawsuit against the IRS. This is problematic. The approval of this settlement comes directly from the president himself and the settlement is funded with taxpayer dollars.

In essence, Trump is appropriating money to directly benefit his own interests. These funds will provide a reward for illegal behavior, possibly handsomely benefiting approximately even the people who engaged in the treasonous attack of the Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021, who have since been pardoned by Trump.

This unethical conduct is stunning in scope and goes far beyond what the Constitution ever intended. As Appropriations Committee chair, Sen. Susan Collins needs to be rallying her Republican colleagues and using the power of her position to stop what amounts to the outright theft of billions at taxpayer expense. This next shameful Trump episode in a series only gets resolved with direct Republican intervention.

Cole Palmer
Phippsburg