US judge temporarily blocks Trump’s $1.8 billion ‘anti-arms fund’ | Donald Trump News

A US federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s nearly $1.8 billion “anti-arms fund” intended to compensate victims of so-called government “legal wars.”

On Friday, U.S. Judge Leonie Brinkema of the Eastern District of Virginia blocked the Trump administration from “taking any further action” to create or manage the fund while she hears legal arguments.

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The judge, who was appointed to the bench by President Bill Clinton, scheduled a hearing for June 12 to determine whether to extend the payment blocking order.

The Justice Department announced the creation of the fund last week as part of an agreement to settle a lawsuit filed on behalf of Donald Trump, in his personal capacity, against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

He initially sought $10 billion in damages, following allegations that Charles Edward Littlejohn, a former government contractor, leaked his private tax records to journalists. Although Littlejohn is not an IRS employee, Trump had argued that the tax agency should nonetheless be held accountable for the contractor’s actions.

The lawsuit and its settlement raised concerns about conflicts of interest within the Trump administration, as the president sued an agency under his supervision, represented by lawyers from his administration.

Friday’s decision follows a complaint filed by Democracy Forward, an advocacy group representing those who believe they would be perceived “by the Trump-Vance administration as ideological or political opponents.”

Among that group is a former assistant U.S. attorney, Andrew Floyd, who served as a prosecutor in cases related to the Jan. 6, 2021, riots, when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol.

The suit claimed the fund was a partisan tool designed to direct payments to Trump supporters and not those considered adversaries of the president.

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Floyd’s trial is not the only legal challenge to the “anti-arms fund.” There are at least two other complaints.

One was presented by former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn and Metropolitan Police officer Daniel Hodges, who alleged that Trump created a “taxpayer-funded slush fund to fund insurrectionists and paramilitary groups who commit violence in his name.”

Meanwhile, watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (CREW) also filed a lawsuit in Washington to block the fund. Both cases are being heard in federal courts in Washington, DC.

“Time and time again, Trump has acted illegally without regard for Congress, the courts, or the public, and has treated the public’s money as his personal piggy bank. This slush fund is just the latest example,” CREW President Donald Sherman said in a press release.

Under the terms of the deal, the fund will be overseen by a five-member commission that will release money to applicants who can prove they were victims of “legal warfare” and “weaponization,” terms Trump and his allies have used to describe investigations and criminal cases against them.

The Justice Department has not yet formed the commission, so no money has yet been paid or claims accepted.

Eligibility Questions

The fund has drawn backlash, even from some lawmakers in Trump’s Republican Party. Many expressed anger that the rioters who attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021 would receive taxpayer-funded compensation.

At a congressional hearing earlier this month, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche did not rule out the possibility that Jan. 6 participants could be eligible, even if they attacked police.

Nearly 1,600 people have been charged with federal crimes after the Jan. 6 riots. More than 1,200 people were convicted and sentenced before Trump issued pardons, commuted prison sentences and ordered the dismissal of all pending criminal cases on January 6 of last year.

Questions have also been raised about whether public figures targeted by Trump in criminal investigations and charges could also be eligible for payments from the “anti-arms” fund.

The fund comes as reports emerged this week that the Justice Department would launch an investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the writer who accused Trump of sexual assault.

The Justice Department has also launched investigations into Trump’s alleged political opponents, in some cases apparently at the president’s request.

Last September, for example, Trump posted a message on social media to then-Attorney General Pam Bondi, appearing to pressure her to file charges against critics like former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

“We cannot wait any longer, this is killing our reputation and credibility,” Trump wrote. “JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!! »

Comey was later accused of lying to Congress, while James was charged with mortgage fraud. Both cases were ultimately dismissed, but the Justice Department has since filed new charges against Comey, alleging he threatened the president with a message written in seashells.

Comey and James have denied the accusations against them, arguing that the cases prove Trump is using government power for personal gain.

Additionally, the Justice Department opened an investigation into former Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell as Trump pressured the then-head of the central bank to lower interest rates. This investigation was ultimately also abandoned.

The White House did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for comment.

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