Story perspectives

Trump Praises $1.8B Fund; DOJ Blocks, Senators Warn

6/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump praised the $1.8 billion fund as a “beautiful thing” while the Justice Department said it will not move forward.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress the fund is “not moving forward, period” after an injunction halted payouts.
Senators Cory Booker and Bill Cassidy filed a brief warning the $1.776 billion fund would bypass Congress, reward Jan. 6 rioters, and a June 12 hearing will consider extending the injunction.

History

Historical Context

President George W. Bush signed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act on Oct 3 2008, creating a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program proposed by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to halt the financial collapse. Today Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche blocked a $1.8 billion Jan. 6 victims fund, mirroring the 2008 clash over emergency payouts and underscoring ongoing oversight debates.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump praised the $1.8 billion fund as a “beautiful thing” while the Justice Department said it will not move forward.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress the fund is “not moving forward, period” after an injunction halted payouts.
Senators Cory Booker and Bill Cassidy filed a brief warning the $1.776 billion fund would bypass Congress, reward Jan. 6 rioters, and a June 12 hearing will consider extending the injunction.

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