Federal judge blocks Trump administration's $1.8B fund critics call political payoff vehicle
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By: Jonathan Shorman - May 29, 2026 9:35 am
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Summary
A federal judge in Virginia temporarily blocked the Trump administration from creating a fund that critics describe as a $1.8 billion 'slush fund' intended to pay off political allies. The order halts the Department of Justice, Treasury Department, and other officials from taking further action to establish the fund or make payments from it. The lawsuit was filed by a former federal prosecutor and a California professor.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledJudge 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.
A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from moving forward with a fund that opponents fear will be used to pay off the president's political allies.
The order came in a lawsuit filed by a former federal prosecutor and a California professor.
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