A federal judge on Friday agreed to extend a court-ordered block on the Trump administration's creation and operation of a $1.8 billion settlement fund for compensating people who claim to be victims of a weaponized government. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
Earlier this month, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress that the government is scrapping its plans for the fund in the face of a fierce bipartisan backlash. Government attorneys have argued that lawsuits challenging the fund are now moot, but plaintiffs' attorneys aren't satisfied by Blanche's assurances that the fund won't move forward.
Neither was U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, who ruled that the "Anti-Weaponization Fund" will remain blocked until further notice from the court. "The (government's) mootness argument, in my view, doesn't go anywhere," the judge said.
President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has not publicly and unequivocally endorsed its cancellation. He has continued to express support for the fund in remarks to reporters.
Brinkema gave the parties a week to negotiate an agreement for Blanche to submit a sworn declaration that the administration won't revive the fund.
Brinkema previously agreed to temporarily block the administration from proceeding with the fund for at least two weeks. Her May 29 order was due to expire on Friday.