Overview
- A federal judge in Washington, which heard arguments Wednesday, declined to immediately block the fund after Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress the DOJ is “not moving forward,” but the judge warned the department not to mislead the court.
- The Justice Department has filed that the dispute is moot and says no commission has been formed, no claims have been accepted, and no money has been transferred from the Treasury Judgment Fund to a designated account.
- Plaintiffs including CREW and a coalition of former prosecutors say Blanche’s oral testimony is not a formal rescission and have asked courts for written proof that the settlement obligations are ended.
- A separate federal judge in Virginia has already issued a temporary halt that remains in effect through a Friday hearing, and judges in multiple courts are weighing preliminary-injunction requests that could permanently bar payouts.
- Reporting from administration insiders says officials are exploring alternative ways to deliver payments to allies, a development that has heightened scrutiny of Blanche’s confirmation and slowed GOP legislative priorities.