A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s plan to establish a $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate individuals who claim they were unfairly prosecuted by the government. This ruling came as a response to mixed communications from President Trump concerning the fund.
Judge Leonie M. Brinkema issued the order during a Friday hearing at the Federal District Court in Alexandria, Virginia. This marks the strongest governmental action to date in holding the administration accountable for setting aside the proposed fund.
Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, informed Congress the previous week that the fund would not proceed. However, President Trump continued to express his support, advocating for compensation for those he believes suffered unfair governmental prosecution.
Judge Brinkema expressed concern that, despite reassurances, the fund might still be reinstated. She highlighted the lack of certainty regarding its final termination.
“We just don’t have the absolute certainty that this fund won’t rear its head in another form,” she stated.
Brinkema provided an opportunity for the administration to overturn her order. She requested a declaration from the Justice Department, under oath, confirming the fund’s permanent termination. This document needs signatures from both Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent by the following week.
Her ruling extended an earlier pause on the fund from the end of May. It was issued only two days after another federal judge, Richard J. Leon, declined a similar request to pause the fund in Washington.
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