Murkowski opposes Trump's $1.776 billion slush fund. Sullivan and Begich duck.

Alaskans who have written to the Congressional delegation complaining about Donald Trump’s proposed $1.776 billion political slush fund settlement with himself have received a clear reply from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, while Sen. Dan Sullivan and Rep. Nick Begich the Third have failed to reply or take a position.

A spokesman for Murkowski wrote:

Senator Murkowski strongly opposes the Anti-Weaponization Fund and the Settlement Agreement under which it was established. As a threshold issue, it is not clear that there is legal authorization for these actions.

For example, the U.S. District Court where the lawsuit that triggered the Settlement Agreement was filed had not yet determined its jurisdiction to consider the matter since President Trump is on both sides of the case, something even he has publicly admitted. Additionally, the terms of the Fund have not been defined. We do not know how the members of the commission that will manage the Fund will be selected, other than the President can appoint whomever he wants with no oversight, or much about the process that will be used to determine who receives compensation.

As currently presented, it appears the Settlement Agreement and Anti-Weaponization Fund are designed to help President Trump and his family and friends, and their businesses. During a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies on the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget request for the Department of Justice, the Acting Attorney General would not commit that individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol Building would not be eligible for compensation through the Fund, and that is a redline for the Senator.

Senator Murkowski is joining an amendment led by Senator Cassidy to the pending reconciliation bill that would prohibit any payments being made from the Anti-Weaponization fund. The Senate will resume consideration of this bill after Memorial Day.

The only news coverage of this I’ve seen was a report by Alaska Public Media on May 20 that reported Murkowski’s opposition to the slush fund, but there was no mention of Sullivan or Begich.

“I'm calling it right now the litigation slush fund, because I am looking for more parameters to it, to really understand how it might be used in a beneficial and a fair way,” Murkowski was quoted as saying. “But I have a lot more questions than I have answers today.”

Sullivan and Begich don’t want to talk about Trump’s $1.776 billion fund, but that shouldn’t stop Alaska news organizations from reporting on how they are trying to avoid taking a position.