A federal judge in Alexandria, Virginia has decided to maintain a court-imposed prohibition on the Trump administration’s establishment of a $1.8 billion compensation fund intended for individuals claiming to be victims of government weaponization.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche informed Congress earlier this month that the administration was abandoning the fund following intense opposition from both political parties. While government lawyers contend the legal challenges are no longer relevant, attorneys representing the plaintiffs remain unconvinced by Blanche’s promises to halt the fund’s implementation.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema shared their skepticism and determined the fund would stay blocked pending further court action.
“The (government’s) mootness argument, in my view, doesn’t go anywhere,” the judge said.
President Donald Trump has not made any clear public statements supporting the fund’s elimination and continues to voice his backing for it when speaking with reporters.
The judge has given both sides one week to work out terms for Blanche to provide a sworn statement promising the administration will not resurrect the fund.
Brinkema had earlier granted a temporary prohibition preventing the administration from moving ahead with the fund for a minimum of two weeks. That May 29 ruling was set to end on Friday.
The Republican administration established this fund as part of resolving Trump’s legal action against the Internal Revenue Service regarding the disclosure of his tax documents.
Those who filed suit to prevent fund distributions contend the government lacks authority to redirect taxpayer funds into what they characterize as a discretionary fund for rewarding Trump’s supporters.
President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, nominated Brinkema to her judicial position.
