The US Justice Department has dropped its plan to create a $1.8 billion compensation programme.
“We are not moving forward with the fund,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said during testimony before a House committee on Tuesday.
The official confirmation came as the top Republican in the US Senate said he understood that President Donald Trump’s “anti-weaponisation fund” is no longer going ahead.
Senator John Thune told reporters on Tuesday he had discussed the fund with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and confirmed that it was “correct” that, in his understanding, the initiative was now off the table.
A federal judge had already temporarily blocked the White House from moving ahead with a $1.8 billion package.
US District Judge Leonie Brinkema barred the administration from taking any further action to create or operate the fund while she considers whether to impose a longer-lasting pause.
