STOP TRUMP ACT
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8885
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-19: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-01T16:15:39Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation aims to prevent the use of federal taxpayer funds, including those from the Judgment Fund, to settle or pay claims by the President, the President's family, associates, or certain political figures related to alleged government actions such as investigations or prosecutions. It also requires repayment of any such funds already distributed and restricts the creation of special compensation programs for these types of claims.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on fund use: Federal funds cannot be used to settle, pay, or support claims by the President, immediate family members, affiliated entities, current or former political appointees, or individuals linked to the January 6, 2021, Capitol events, when those claims involve allegations of political targeting, government "weaponization," or related law enforcement or legal actions.
- Ban on compensation mechanisms: No federal officer or employee may create boards, commissions, or funds to compensate individuals or groups for claims of governmental bias or selective enforcement.
- Voidness of agreements: Any settlement or obligation made in violation of these rules is treated as invalid from the start and cannot be enforced in court.
- Department of Justice restrictions: The Department of Justice is barred from representing the United States in lawsuits where the President seeks money or other benefits that could favor the President, family, or affiliated entities.
- Repayment requirements: Recipients of funds distributed in violation of the Act must return the full amount to the Treasury. The Treasury Department may offset these amounts against other federal payments owed to the recipient, and the Attorney General must pursue civil actions for recovery, including asset seizure and liens.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill amends Title 31 of the United States Code to add new restrictions on the Judgment Fund and federal spending authority. It introduces mandatory repayment rules for past violations and expands the government's recovery tools beyond standard practices. These changes limit executive branch flexibility in handling certain claims and create explicit prohibitions not present in current law.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The Department of Justice and Treasury Department face limits on representing interests or managing funds in specific cases, potentially requiring new internal procedures to avoid violations.
- On citizens and recipients: Individuals or groups previously eligible for compensation related to the specified claims would be ineligible for federal payouts, and some may face repayment demands.
- On international relations: No direct effects are outlined, though restrictions on settlements could indirectly influence how federal agencies handle claims involving foreign entities if they overlap with the prohibited categories.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The President and immediate family members.
- Political appointees and entities affiliated with the President.
- Individuals or groups designated for compensation, including those linked to the January 6, 2021, events.
- The Department of Justice and Treasury Department.
- Congress, as the body responsible for appropriations and oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The Act declares certain agreements null and void, which could lead to court challenges over contract enforceability. It singles out claims involving the President for special treatment, raising potential issues under principles of equal application of laws. The requirement to recoup funds already paid could affect ongoing or past settlements, and the bill's focus on "weaponization" claims ties directly to specific historical events without broader application to all similar disputes.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-19: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-05-19: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-19: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Stop Taxpayer-funded Reimbursement for Unlawful Misconduct by Presidents Act — issued 2026-05-19 — PDF (5 pages)