A New York state lawmaker, Assemblyman Alex Bores, has announced plans to introduce a bill that would impose a 100% state income tax on any New York resident who receives money from the Trump administration’s $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund [1]. Bores described the fund as an 'illegal slush fund' and stated that the proposed Anti-Insurrectionist Act aims to ensure that no New Yorker is enriched by what he characterized as a publicly-funded political payout negotiated between President Donald Trump and his administration [1].
Bores made his intentions clear in a video posted to X, saying, 'If you’re a New Yorker and you take from this illegal slush fund, New York state will tax 100% of it,' and further emphasized, 'If you storm the Capitol and you take from this slush fund, too bad we’re taking it' [1]. The bill is currently being drafted and is intended to target those who, according to Bores, received money for 'attacking American democracy' [1].
The 'anti-weaponization' fund was created by the Department of Justice as part of a settlement with President Trump, who agreed to drop his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and other claims related to the 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago and the Russian collusion investigation [1]. The DOJ stated the fund would provide a 'systematic process to hear and redress claims of others who suffered weaponization and lawfare' [1]. The fund has faced bipartisan criticism and several lawsuits since its announcement [1].
Bores’ proposal echoes a similar federal initiative, the 'Slush Fund Act,' introduced by Democratic members of the House Ways and Means Committee, which would impose a 100% tax on any payout a sitting president receives from lawsuits against the U.S. government [1]. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., stated, 'Our legislation would ensure any sitting president who sues the U.S. government faces an 100% tax on any payout that they receive from a trial or settlement so that innocent taxpayers don’t get stuck footing the bill' [1].
The White House referred questions about Bores’ bill to the Department of Justice, which did not immediately respond [1]. The fund has drawn bipartisan opposition, with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, noting that about half of Senate Republicans expressed concerns in a closed-door meeting with the Attorney General [1].
CONCLUSION
Assemblyman Alex Bores’ proposed bill to tax New Yorkers receiving money from the Trump administration’s 'anti-weaponization' fund at 100% reflects growing bipartisan criticism of the fund and efforts to prevent perceived political payouts. The initiative aligns with similar federal legislative efforts and has sparked legal and political debate, indicating ongoing scrutiny and potential legislative action regarding the fund’s distribution and purpose.