The Trump administration is scrapping plans to create a $1.8 billion US fund meant to compensate allies of the Republican president, the Justice Department's top official said Tuesday in retreating from a program that faced setbacks in the courts and a fierce political backlash that had threatened to stall key elements of the White House agenda

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., had previously said Republicans were in discussions with the White House about changing the fund.

The Trump administration says it will comply with a court ruling temporarily blocking a nearly $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate allies of President Donald Trump.