Overview
- In filings on Friday, June 5, the Justice Department told federal judges the proposed $1.7–$1.8 billion fund is "not going forward" and asked courts to dismiss lawsuits challenging it as moot.
- U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema has temporarily enjoined any action on the fund and scheduled a June 12 hearing to consider a longer block while several suits remain active.
- DOJ said no money was transferred, no claims process was set up, and no members were appointed to the five-person commission that would have overseen payouts.
- Plaintiffs including Common Cause, the National Abortion Federation, the city of New Haven, former Jan. 6 prosecutors, and Capitol police officers continue litigation and lawmakers say they may use confirmations or must-pass bills to force written guarantees.
- Legal experts and reporting note the Treasury Judgment Fund and Federal Tort Claims Act remain available to pay government settlements, a mechanism that has already been used in recent years and that critics say could achieve similar taxpayer-funded payouts even without the specific commission.