Trump Proposes $1.7 Billion Taxpayer-Funded Commission with Secretive Appointments

Last night, reports emerged that President Donald Trump would withdraw his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS under a controversial proposal. The plan involves creating a $1.7 billion fund using taxpayer dollars, which Trump would oversee through five appointed commissioners. These commissioners would have the authority to distribute funds to individuals of their choosing, with the recipient list kept secret. Additionally, Trump reserves the right to replace any commissioner at any time, without cause.

The Trump administration has framed this initiative as a “truth and reconciliation commission.” This framing has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from commentators who argue that the commission is designed to benefit allies from the Trump era rather than address past grievances.

Reactions from Commentators

For over a decade, commentators Sarah Longwell and Jonathan V. Last (JVL) have advocated for a truth and reconciliation commission to document actions taken during the Trump administration. However, they now express skepticism about the proposed commission’s intent and structure.

“The monkey’s paw has granted their wish,” Last remarked, referencing the unintended consequences of their long-standing desire for such a commission.

Longwell and Last have since shared extensive commentary on the proposal, criticizing its lack of transparency and potential for misuse.

Additional Announcements

The discussion surrounding the proposal also included updates on upcoming events and membership opportunities for Bulwark+:

• Bulwark Live Events: Scheduled for May 20 in San Diego and May 21 in Los Angeles. New guests have been added to the lineup for both shows.
• Bulwark+ Membership: The Secret Podcast with Longwell and Last is available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Membership grants access to future episodes and participation in the Secret community.

For more details on events and membership, visit TheBulwark.com/Events.