The Daily Fuckup

Democrats in the House and Senate on April 15 introduced legislation they say would bar a sitting president, vice president, and certain family-controlled entities from collecting settlement payments from the federal government while in office. The proposal, called the Ban Presidential Plunder of Taxpayer Funds Act, was announced by Rep. Jamie Raskin, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Dave Min.

In their release, the sponsors said the bill is aimed at what they describe as a conflict created by President Donald Trump’s pursuit of money from the government, including a claim tied to Justice Department investigations and a separate lawsuit over the release of his tax records. The measure would also limit the filing and processing of certain damages claims while an officeholder remains in power.

House Judiciary Democrats separately sent a letter on April 6 to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche about a proposed Justice Department payment to Michael Flynn. Raskin asked why DOJ was preparing to pay more than $1 million to Flynn and argued that the planned $1.25 million payment should be scrutinized as more than an ordinary settlement.

The two actions are linked by their subject matter but not by timing. The bill was introduced on April 15, 2026. The Flynn letter was dated April 6, 2026. Taken together, they show Democrats using Trump-related payment disputes to argue for new limits on how presidents and vice presidents can pursue claims against the government while still controlling the executive branch.