A federal judge issued a temporary order stopping the Department of Justice, the Treasury Department, and other senior officials from taking further steps to create a fund or make payments from it. The order followed a lawsuit brought by a former federal prosecutor and a California professor, represented by Democracy Forward and Common Cause. The fund was announced by the Justice Department as a nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” intended to make payments to individuals who say they were wronged by prior administrations. The fund is tied to a settlement agreement involving a lawsuit over leaking of President Donald Trump’s tax return information by a former IRS contractor. The fund is overseen by a five-member board chosen by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, with authority for Trump to remove members for any reason.
"Judge Leonie Brinkema in the Eastern District of Virginia issued a brief order halting the Department of Justice, the Treasury Department and other high-ranking administration officials from taking any additional actions to create the fund or make payments from it."
"The Justice Department on May 18 announced a nearly $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" that will make payments to individuals who believe they have been wronged by past administrations. The fund came as part of a settlement agreement in a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump over the leaking of his tax return information by a former IRS contractor."
"Trump's settlement agreement provides for the creation of the fund overseen by a board of five members chosen by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously served as Trump's personal attorney. Trump can fire the members for any reason."
"Brinkema, a President Bill Clinton appointee, took no position on the legality of the fund in her order. She wrote that her order is to ensure no money is &quo"
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