Overview
- The Department of Justice said it will comply with a Virginia federal judge’s temporary injunction that blocks the nearly $1.776–1.8 billion fund and Acting Solicitor General Todd Blanche testified the Justice Department will not move forward with the program.
- Judge Leonie Brinkema barred the government from operating or disbursing money from the fund and set a hearing for June 12 to consider extending the pause while plaintiffs press their legal claims.
- A separate inquiry in the Southern District of Florida is probing how the IRS settlement that produced the money was reached and has ordered responses to accusations of collusion and procedural irregularities.
- Senate Republicans revolted over the fund’s discretionary design and possible payouts to politically connected defendants, delaying a push to advance about $70 billion for ICE and Border Patrol until they get firm written assurances the fund is dead.
- The fund grew out of a settlement tied to President Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS and critics say it lacks clear congressional authorization, independent oversight, and objective eligibility rules, leaving its long‑term fate tied to pending litigation and political pressure.