A $1.8-billion “Anti-Weaponization” fund is being created for victims of political persecution to seek relief. The move follows a pattern of political focus on settling scores and rewarding loyalty. Trump’s public statements emphasize getting even and framing political outcomes as personal vindication. He has endorsed candidates based on perceived support during difficult moments, praising fighters who endured unfair treatment. The fund is intended to address alleged misuse of government power, but some ardent supporters may view it as not going far enough to match their expectations for accountability, protection, or restitution.
"“I love getting even with people,” Donald Trump told Charlie Rose, in a 1992 interview. Trump was promoting a new book, which he had just started to write, called “The Art of the Comeback.” It offered ten tips for success. Among them: play golf, always have a prenuptial agreement, get even. Getting even has been a lifelong preoccupation. My “retribution’s going to be success,” Trump said, in 2024, when asked how he'd avenge his political enemies if he were reëlected President."
"On Wednesday, during a televised Cabinet meeting, Trump, discussing the political impact of the war in Iran, said, “I don't care about the midterms.” To the extent that he does care, it seems primarily about settling scores, not preserving Republican majorities. Most recently, in the Senate primary runoff in Texas, he had weighed in at the last minute to endorse Ken Paxton, the loyal but serially embattled state attorney general, who beat John Cornyn, the incumbent."
"Cornyn, Trump wrote, “is a good man, and I worked well with him, but he was not supportive of me when times were tough. . . . John was very late in backing me in what turned out to be a Historic Run for the Republican Nomination, and then, the Presidency, itself, both of which were Landslide Victories and, more importantly, gave us the Country that we have today-THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA.” Ken Paxton, meanwhile, “has gone through a lot, in many cases, very unfairly, but he is a Fighter.”"
"The same day, as part of a settlement agreement between Trump and the I.R.S., the Department of Justice announced the creation of a $1.8-billion “Anti-Weaponization” fund for victims of political persecution to seek"
#political-persecution #trump-administration #campaign-endorsements #justice-department #anti-weaponization-fund
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