Major Blow to Donald Trump as Court Blocks Compensation Plan for Capitol Riot Defendants

Washington: The Donald Trump administration in America has suffered a major setback from the court. A federal judge has put a temporary hold on the controversial 1.8 billion dollars anti-weaponisation fund. There will be no payment from the fund right now. The government will not even be able to transfer the money.

What is this 'anti-weaponisation fund'?

The fund was created to compensate people who say they were unfairly targeted by government agencies. Or harassed for political reasons. The US Justice Department had recently announced this plan.

Why did the court stop it?

District Judge Leonie Brinkema, who is hearing the case, said that it is necessary to first check the validity of this scheme. It remains to be seen whether the legal process is completed or not. Till then not even a single dollar will be withdrawn from the fund. The government cannot do anything about its operation.

What is the dispute about?

Critics allege that this fund may benefit people associated with the violence that took place at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Many Trump supporters are also suspected to have received money. For this reason, many organisations and former officers had been challenged in the court.

How was the fund created?

According to the information, this fund is part of the settlement of Trump's lawsuit against the IRS. Trump had alleged that his tax records were wrongly leaked. This special fund was formed to settle that case.

What explanation is the Trump administration giving?

The Trump administration says the plan is completely legal. Its purpose is only to provide relief to those people who were victims of government 'weaponisation'. That is, against those against whom the government misused the agencies. What allegations are the opponents making?
The opposition party is calling it a straight political fund. He says that Trump wants to distribute government money to benefit his supporters. Especially the accused of Capitol violence.

What will happen next?

The next hearing of this case will be on June 12. It will be decided on the same day whether the ban on funds will be lifted or will continue further. At present, this order of the court is being considered as a big blow for the Trump administration. Funds worth 1.8 billion dollars i.e. about Rs 15 thousand crores are still stuck.