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Judge probes settlement
A U.S. judge in Florida ordered a review of a deal between the Justice Department and President Donald Trump to settle his $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, intensifying scrutiny of the agreement.
“Judge temporarily freezes payments from Trump administration's 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' Another judge wants to know if the settlement was an attempt to deceive her”
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams ordered Trump’s lawyers on Friday to respond by June 12 to a motion filed by 35 retired federal judges alleging that the settlement “is a product of collusion and is itself a fraud on the court.”
Williams previously granted a dismissal on May 18, but her new order said the “court is empowered to investigate serious misconduct.”
Separately, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Virginia temporarily blocked the Trump administration from setting up the “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” with her order remaining in effect at least until June 12.
Rioters seek payouts
Capitol rioters have clamor for payouts from Trump’s nearly $1.8 billion new fund for people claiming to be victims of a weaponized government, even as a judge has frozen the fund’s formation at least temporarily.
David Johnston, a licensed attorney who illegally entered the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, offered to help fellow “J6ers” apply for payouts for a 10% cut of any award, capped at $5,000 apiece.
Johnston said in a video he posted to social media, “I think the narrative is changing” about how the history of that day is being told.
Jason Riddle, a military veteran from New Hampshire who was sentenced to 90 days behind bars after pleading guilty to riot charges, rejected a pardon from Trump and said it would be “ridiculous” for him or any other Jan. 6 rioter to get government compensation.
Fund’s legal and political
The “Anti-Weaponization Fund” is being challenged in court and has faced multiple legal setbacks, including a temporary freeze ordered by U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Virginia.
“Washington — A federal judge temporarily blocked the Justice Department from moving forward with work on the new $1”
Brinkema’s order bars the administration “from taking any further action pursuant to the creation or operation of the Anti-Weaponization Fund,” including transfers of money or consideration of claims from individuals who may argue they are victims of political persecution.
In Florida, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams is also considering whether the settlement that created the fund involved deception, after 35 retired federal judges asked the court to reopen the case.
Democracy Forward President and CEO Skye Perryman said the judge’s order “recognized the urgent need to prevent taxpayer dollars from being distributed through a secretive and unprecedented political compensation scheme” while the court reviews the merits.
