A federal judge appointed by Bill Clinton has blocked Donald Trump from moving forward his plans to create a $1.8 billion taxpayer ‘slush fund’ to compensate his political allies.
Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled Friday that the Trump administration cannot establish an anti-weaponization fund, blocking it from transferring money, reviewing any claims submitted to it, or disbursing money to applicants.
The fund was created as part of a settlement from Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against his own Treasury Department over the leak of his 2019 tax return.
It is designed to pay individuals who claim they were politically targeted by the Biden Justice Department, including 1,600 pardoned January 6 Capitol rioters.
Lawmakers from both parties on Capitol Hill have criticized the White House for seeking to reward individuals who assaulted police officers, with some calling it a ‘slush fund.’
The lawsuit was filed last week by plaintiffs arguing that the fund is unconstitutional and violates federal law.
Judge Brinkema, 81, set a hearing for June 12 to hear further arguments on whether she will impose a longer-lasting pause on Trump’s fund. The DOJ faces two other federal lawsuits regarding the program.
Brinkema, who serves on the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, has was appointed by Clinton in 1993.
The fund was created as part of a settlement from Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against his own Treasury Department over the leak of his 2019 tax return
Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled Friday that the Trump administration cannot establish an Anti-Weaponization Fund, blocking it from transferring money, reviewing any claims submitted to it, or disbursing money to applicants
The fund is designed to pay individuals who claim they were politically targeted by the Biden Justice Department, including 1,600 pardoned January 6 Capitol rioters
Her order came less than 24 hours after the plaintiffs asked the judge to determine whether the program can continue operating as the litigation proceeds.
Judge Brinkema gave the Trump administration until June 5 to file their arguments opposing the temporary restriction.
The Daily Mail has contacted the White House and the Justice Department for comment.
The $1.776 billion fund was created by the DOJ earlier this month with the power to issue formal apologies and monetary relief owed to claimants.
While Trump is barred from directly receiving payments from the fund, entities associated with him were not explicitly prohibited from filing additional ones.
Five commissioners were suppose to be appointed to oversee the fund and disburse payments to those seeking redress for alleged political persecution under Biden.
It remains unclear how the DOJ will proceed with appointing these commissioners while the lawsuit continues.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump’s former attorney who defended him during his criminal trials, was responsible for appointments to the commission. Trump had the authority to remove any member.
Democratic lawmakers in California, New York, and Illinois have floated passing a state law that taxes 100% of funds received by individuals who are paid from Trump’s fund.
