I could not find the link I thought I had, sorry. It goes like this. In 2009 the federal budget was increased 37% (stimulus bill) that money was appropriated. Subsequent budgets were passed via continuing resolution based on the 2009 budget, meaning all the stimulus money was still in there and not earmarked ( this became the Executive branch slush fund). Pelosi, Reed, Boehner, McConnell, and Ryan have to know this, they are complicit. A 37% increase in 1 year of the Federal budget, think about that, and all for Barky to dole out as he sees fit. We’ve been had, bigly.
It's very unfortunate that the Republicans didn't have the stomach to stop this sort of thing but if Congress passed the budget then the spending is legal, if very unwise