US government scraps Trump victim compensation fund after criticism

The administration of President Donald Trump has abandoned a proposed $1.8 billion fund that was to compensate people who claimed they were victims of the justice system. Justice Minister Todd Blanche told Congress that the fund will not be pursued. Critics argued the fund would function as a payoff for Trump loyalists and could channel taxpayer money to participants in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Congressional budget votes were delayed to pressure the White House. The fund stemmed from a settlement in a lawsuit in which Trump sued the IRS and received a settlement that also ended further IRS audits of his businesses. A federal court in Virginia previously halted the fund pending clarification.