Trending Now - Trump's Legal Troubles Mount Amid IRS Deal Scrutiny

WHO:

Alternet - President Donald Trump, Judge Kathleen M. Williams, Boris Epshteyn, 35 former federal judges, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trent McCotter, T. Elliot Gaiser, former Vice President Mike Pence.

WHAT:

Alternet - President Trump is reportedly planning to abandon his proposed $1.8 billion slush fund, with sources stating, "It's dead for now."

Talking Points Memo - Judge Kathleen M. Williams has demanded that Trump and related plaintiffs respond to allegations of collusion regarding the settlement, with a new deadline set for June 12.

The Daily Beast - Over 10,000 federal lawyers have left their jobs since Trump’s second term began, equating to one in five federal lawyers.

The Daily Beast - The Department of Education has lost 53 percent of its lawyers since Trump’s second term began.

Alternet - President Trump is reportedly planning to abandon his proposed $1.8 billion slush fund, with sources stating, "It's dead for now."

ABC News - The Trump administration signaled it was pausing contentious plans to move forward with a nearly $1.8 billion fund that could compensate allies of President Trump who believe they have been unjustly investigated and prosecuted.

The Washington Post - The Trump administration indicated that its nearly $1.8 billion payout fund was on shaky ground, as Republican lawmakers pushed the White House to abandon the idea.

Alternet - President Trump is reportedly planning to abandon his proposed $1.8 billion slush fund, with sources stating, "It's dead for now."

Talking Points Memo - Judge Kathleen M. Williams has demanded that Trump and related plaintiffs respond to allegations of collusion regarding the settlement, with a new deadline set for June 12.

The Daily Beast - Trump claimed that the mass exit of federal lawyers is a positive development, stating, "The people that are leaving are Radical Left Deep State Lunatics, who are destroying our Country."

Alternet - President Trump is reportedly planning to drop his controversial $1.8 billion "weaponization" fund, with sources stating, "It's dead for now."

Alternet - The fund was created as a rushed settlement to Trump's lawsuit against the IRS regarding the leak of his tax returns during his first term.

Talking Points Memo - Judge Kathleen M. Williams has set a new deadline of June 12 for Trump to respond to allegations of collusion regarding the settlement.

Talking Points Memo - As many as 12 Senate Republicans have expressed opposition to the "Anti-Weaponization Fund," and discussions are ongoing about whether Trump should abandon the fund to facilitate the passage of an immigration enforcement funding bill.

Alternet - President Trump is reportedly planning to abandon his planned $1.8 billion slush fund, with sources stating, "It's dead for now."

Alternet - The $1.8 billion allocation was criticized as a political slush fund that could benefit those convicted in the January 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol.

Talking Points Memo - Judge Kathleen M. Williams demanded Trump and related plaintiffs respond to allegations of collusion regarding the settlement, with a deadline set for June 12.

The Daily Beast - Over 10,000 federal lawyers have left their jobs since Trump’s second term began, equating to one in five federal lawyers.

The Daily Beast - The Department of Education has lost 53 percent of its lawyers since Trump’s second term began.

Alternet - Trump is reportedly planning to abandon his proposed $1.8 billion slush fund.

Alternet - The slush fund was created as a settlement to Trump's lawsuit against the IRS regarding the leak of his tax returns.

Talking Points Memo - Judge Williams demanded Trump and related plaintiffs respond to allegations of collusion regarding the settlement of the case, which aimed to create a $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" slush fund and release up to $100 million in back-tax liabilities.

Talking Points Memo - Trump’s personal lawyer Boris Epshteyn played a significant role in coordinating the settlement discussions.

WHERE:

Talking Points Memo - U.S. District Court in Miami, Florida.

WHEN:

Talking Points Memo - Judge Williams set a deadline of June 12 for Trump to respond to the allegations.

WHY:

Alternet - The decision to abandon the slush fund reflects growing concerns about potential criminal liability for administration officials involved in the scheme.

The Daily Beast - Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser stated that he hired 22 lawyers from across the federal government in the past year, noting they left because they "want no part" in Trump’s administration.

ABC News - The decision to pause the fund comes amid Republican backlash and legal setbacks regarding its creation.

The Washington Post - The fund has provoked resistance from members of both parties as an inappropriate way to reward the president’s supporters.

Alternet - The decision to abandon the slush fund reflects growing concerns about potential criminal liability for administration officials involved in the scheme.

Alternet - Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) told Trump that he either had to shut down the fund or risk losing his budget reconciliation.

Alternet - The decision to abandon the slush fund reflects growing concerns about potential criminal liability for administration officials involved in the scheme.

The Daily Beast - Many experienced lawyers are leaving the Trump administration to work with Democratic state attorneys general and nonprofits challenging Republican policies.

Alternet - The slush fund faced bipartisan pushback in Congress, leading to concerns about political repercussions ahead of midterm elections.

Alternet - Legal scholars argued that the settlement violated separation of powers principles and allowed Trump to circumvent standard appropriations processes.

Talking Points Memo - The judge's order was prompted by concerns that the court was used to launder public funds for Trump to reward his allies.

HOW:

Talking Points Memo - Trump's personal lawyer Boris Epshteyn has been identified as a key figure in coordinating the settlement discussions related to the IRS lawsuit.

Alternet - Trump’s administration rushed to finalize a settlement before a court deadline of May 20.

Talking Points Memo - The settlement involved discussions among Trump, his personal lawyers, and Justice Department officials, with minimal involvement from DOJ lawyers.

(UPDATED June 2, 2026 16:22 UTC)

President Trump is reportedly planning to abandon his proposed $1.8 billion slush fund, with sources indicating that "it's dead for now," amid growing concerns about potential criminal liability for administration officials. Meanwhile, Judge Kathleen M. Williams has set a new deadline of June 12 for Trump and related plaintiffs to respond to allegations of collusion regarding the settlement, which is being coordinated by Trump's personal lawyer Boris Epshteyn. In a related development, over 10,000 federal lawyers have left their positions since Trump’s second term began, with the Department of Education losing 53 percent of its lawyers during that time.

(UPDATED June 2, 2026 12:18 UTC)

President Trump is reportedly planning to abandon his proposed $1.8 billion fund, with sources indicating that "it's dead for now." The administration has signaled a pause on the contentious plans amid backlash from Republican lawmakers and legal challenges surrounding the fund's creation. This initiative has faced resistance from members of both parties, who view it as an inappropriate means to reward the president's supporters.

(UPDATED June 2, 2026 01:42 UTC)

President Trump is reportedly planning to abandon his proposed $1.8 billion slush fund, with sources indicating that "it's dead for now," reflecting rising concerns about potential criminal liability for administration officials involved. Meanwhile, Judge Kathleen M. Williams has set a new deadline of June 12 for Trump and related plaintiffs to respond to allegations of collusion regarding a settlement. In a separate statement, Trump described the mass exit of federal lawyers as a positive development, claiming that those leaving are "Radical Left Deep State Lunatics, who are destroying our Country."

(UPDATED June 1, 2026 23:26 UTC)

President Trump is reportedly planning to abandon his controversial $1.8 billion "weaponization" fund, with sources indicating that "it's dead for now." This decision comes amid growing concerns about potential criminal liability for administration officials involved in the scheme, and as many as 12 Senate Republicans have voiced their opposition to the fund, suggesting that Trump may need to drop it to help pass an immigration enforcement funding bill. Additionally, Judge Kathleen M. Williams has set a new deadline of June 12 for Trump to respond to allegations of collusion related to the settlement.

(UPDATED June 1, 2026 22:01 UTC)

President Trump is reportedly planning to abandon his controversial $1.8 billion slush fund, which has faced criticism for potentially benefiting those convicted in the January 6 assault on the Capitol, with sources indicating that "it's dead for now." In related legal matters, Judge Kathleen M. Williams has demanded that Trump and associated plaintiffs respond to allegations of collusion regarding a settlement, setting a deadline for June 12. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has seen a significant exodus of legal talent, with over 10,000 federal lawyers leaving their positions since his second term began, including a staggering 53 percent of the Department of Education's legal team.

(UPDATED June 1, 2026 20:25 UTC)

President Trump is reportedly planning to abandon his proposed $1.8 billion slush fund, which was created as part of a settlement in his lawsuit against the IRS concerning the leak of his tax returns. U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen M. Williams has set a deadline of June 12 for Trump and related plaintiffs to respond to allegations of collusion regarding this settlement, which aimed to establish a $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" fund and release up to $100 million in back-tax liabilities. The slush fund has faced bipartisan pushback in Congress, raising concerns about political repercussions ahead of the midterm elections and prompting legal scholars to argue that it violates principles of separation of powers.