Judge blocks Trump $1.8 billion fund indefinitely

A federal judge has indefinitely blocked a $1.8 billion fund proposed by President Donald Trump to compensate individuals who claim they were unfairly targeted by government prosecutions. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema issued the preliminary injunction on Friday, June 12, 2026, and ordered the administration to provide a sworn statement within one week formally declaring the fund will not proceed.

The ruling came despite public statements from acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who told Congress last week that the administration was not moving forward with the plan. Judge Brinkema, presiding in the Eastern District of Virginia, stated that Blanche's verbal assurances and court filings were insufficient, citing President Trump's continued praise for the fund's concept as evidence it could be revived. She noted a lack of "absolute certainty" that the proposal would not resurface.

The fund, which emerged from a settlement agreement between Trump and the Justice Department, was intended to allocate approximately $1.776 billion to individuals who could demonstrate they were victims of what the administration terms "lawfare" or "weaponization." A five-member commission was to...