The Department of Justice and the IRS reached a deal in 2025 that established a $1.776 billion [1] compensation fund for individuals claiming they were targeted by the federal government.
The agreement is significant because it simultaneously provides a financial payout to alleged victims of government weaponization while shielding President Donald Trump and his family from future tax audits [2].
Former U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade reacted to the creation of the fund by suggesting that former FBI Director James Comey should seek payment. "I'd love to see James Comey file a claim," McQuade said [1].
The fund, which some reports have rounded to $1.8 billion [1], was designed to provide redress for those who claim they were politically targeted. The mechanism of the fund follows the agreement between the DOJ and IRS that provides specific protections for the Trump family [2].
James Comey, who was prosecuted by the DOJ under the Trump administration, responded to the possibility of applying for the funds. "I'm guessing I'll be in line," Comey said [3].
The establishment of the fund has drawn scrutiny due to the perceived contradiction of providing compensation for government overreach while granting the executive branch specific immunity from standard tax oversight [2].
“"I'd love to see James Comey file a claim."”
The creation of this fund represents a unique intersection of restorative justice for alleged political targeting and a strategic legal shield for the presidency. By tying the $1.776 billion payout to an agreement that limits IRS auditing power, the deal effectively trades public compensation for personal legal immunity, sparking a debate over the neutrality of federal law enforcement and tax administration.
