The "Potty Like It's 1999" Edition

The "Potty Like It's 1999" Edition

From Rational Security by The Lawfare Institute

May 28, 2026 · 1h 9m

About this episode

The episode discusses recent developments in domestic politics, including the creation of an Anti-Weaponization Fund and the impact of Trump's endorsements in Republican primaries.

This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Anna Bower and Eric Columbus, and his Brookings colleague Molly Reynolds, to talk through a couple of the week’s big news stories in domestic politics, including: “The Grift That Keeps On Giving.” Last week, the Justice Department announced the creation of a so-called Anti-Weaponization Fund of nearly 1.8 billion taxpayer dollars, from which purported victims of politically motivated prosecutions can apply to receive payments. The fund was created as part of a settlement with President Trump and his sons, who sued the IRS for 10 billion dollars over the leak of his tax returns. So far, pardoned Jan. 6 rioters, former Congressman George Santos, Trump’s ex attorney Michael Cohen, and even former FBI Director James Comey have all said that they are considering applying, and three lawsuits have already been filed challenging the fund. How did Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS lead to this fund? And how do we see these legal challenges playing out in court? “Lame Duck Around and Find Out.” President Trump’s preferred primary picks have cruised to victories in Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Georgia Republican primaries, ousting…

People in this episode

Host: Scott

Guests: Anna Bower, Eric Columbus, Molly Reynolds

Topics covered

  • domestic politics
  • politically motivated prosecutions
  • Trump's legal challenges
  • Republican primaries
  • political endorsements
  • government funding

Keywords

  • Anti-Weaponization Fund
  • politically motivated prosecutions
  • Trump lawsuit
  • Republican primaries
  • legal challenges
  • tax returns
  • pardon
  • political endorsements

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Justice Department, IRS

Places: Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Georgia

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