Judge keeps Trump ‘slush fund’ lawsuit alive after officials refuse sworn statement

• A federal judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the administration's plan for a nearly $1.8 billion compensation fund for allies, after Justice Department officials declined to provide a sworn statement confirming that the fund is actually dead.
• U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema stated that the government's refusal to offer a sworn declaration under penalty of perjury, despite congressional testimony, indicates a lack of genuine trustworthiness regarding the fund's status.
• The judge highlighted Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's previous statements calling the fund “important” and his “continued interest in compensating alleged victims of alleged government weaponization” as reasons the case is not moot.
• The lawsuit, which critics have labeled a “slush fund” for the president's allies, including January 6 rioters, will now proceed to evidence collection, with the government ordered to file a response by July 17.
• Despite a preliminary injunction already blocking the fund, President Donald Trump has publicly expressed strong support for the initiative, while officials are reportedly exploring using an existing Judgment Fund to make payouts to his allies.

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Judge won’t let Trump’s DOJ off the hook over ‘slush fund’ after feds refuse to say it’s dead