Judge Blocks Payments From Controversial Trump Fund

A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Trump's administration from paying any claims through a new $1.776 billion settlement fund for Trump allies who believe they were victims of a weaponized government, reports the AP. US District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Alexandria, Virginia, on Friday also barred the government from "the creation or operation of the Anti-Weaponization Fund, which includes the transferring of money to the Fund; the consideration of any claims submitted to the Fund; and the disbursing of any funds from the Fund," per CNN. The judge scheduled a June 12 hearing for arguments on whether to extend the order blocking payouts from the Anti-Weaponization Fund, which the government created to resolve Trump's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns.

The fund has created a fierce backlash since it was announced last week, with even Republicans pressing acting Attorney General Todd Blanche over the eligibility considerations and the possibility that even violent rioters at the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, would be free to seek compensation. The Justice Department hasn't formed the five-member commission that will decide on payout criteria, so no money has been paid out yet or claims accepted. Plaintiffs' attorneys from the legal advocacy group Democracy Forward are seeking a court order halting the fund's implementation and preventing the Trump administration from disbursing any payouts from it. The federal suit claims there is no legal basis or accountability behind the fund.