A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from moving forward with a nearly $1.8 billion compensation fund for President Trump’s political allies, in another setback for a politically sensitive second-term initiative. Multiple outlets report the order was issued by U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema. The judge prohibits the administration from taking further steps to create or operate the fund while the court considers whether to extend or convert the pause into a longer-lasting freeze.
According to the reports, the injunction blocks additional funding actions and related procedures tied to the compensation package, including transfers of money into the fund and consideration of claims. The order is set against a backdrop of criticism from opponents who describe the program as a “slush fund.” The matter is scheduled to be addressed in court ahead of a June 12 hearing, which sources describe as a key next step in the litigation.
