Trump faces legal setbacks as judges block key administration initiatives
President Donald Trump is beginning a new month facing a series of legal setbacks involving some of his administration's highest-profile initiatives.
(NBC)- President Donald Trump is beginning a new month facing a series of legal setbacks involving some of his administration’s highest-profile initiatives.
A federal judge has halted the administration’s proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, which would use taxpayer money to compensate people who claim they were unfairly prosecuted during the Biden administration.
The proposal could potentially include some individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot. Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized the idea.
“It’s deeply offensive to me that you could have a fund that could even possibly compensate people who assaulted police officers or vandalized the Capitol on January 6th,” Pence said.
The fund is now on hold after a prosecutor involved in January 6 cases filed a lawsuit challenging the program. The Justice Department continues to defend the fund’s legality. The administration also suffered another courtroom setback after a federal judge ordered Trump’s name removed from the Kennedy Center and temporarily blocked plans to close the institution for renovations. Trump said he would step away from the dispute and turn responsibility for the institution over to Congress.
The president has also become involved in controversy surrounding the Great American State Fair. Several performers reportedly withdrew from the event, citing concerns that it had become too political. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended the celebration.
“Freedom 250 and the celebration of the 250 is a nonpartisan event,” Burgum said.
Trump is now expected to headline the fair himself and has suggested replacing some musical acts with a political rally, criticizing what he called “overpriced singers” who complain about the event.
Meanwhile, the president continued to express confidence that a peace agreement can be reached with Iran despite continued military exchanges.
“We’re going to make a great deal, or we’ll just go back and finish it off militarily,” Trump said.
The comments came as the United States and Iran exchanged new strikes over the weekend. According to the U.S. military, American forces launched what were described as self-defense strikes against Iranian radar and drone control sites. Iran says it responded by targeting an air base used in the U.S. operation.
Kuwait, which hosts a previously targeted U.S. military base, also reported responding to missile and drone threats Monday morning.
