WASHINGTON — A group of former federal and state judges has challenged the practices of a legal defense fund established to support legal expenses tied to U.S. President Donald Trump and several associates, according to a complaint and public statements released on Thursday.
The former judges, acting through a nonprofit ethics organization, said the fund’s structure and fundraising methods raise questions about transparency and compliance with federal ethics and campaign finance standards. The complaint was submitted to federal oversight authorities earlier this week, according to the organization.
The filing focuses on donations collected to help cover mounting legal costs linked to multiple criminal and civil cases involving Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for the 2026 midterm political cycle’s party leadership contests and other political allies. The complaint alleges that some solicitations may blur distinctions between political contributions and legal defense fundraising, though the filing did not accuse donors or fund administrators of criminal wrongdoing.
“Public confidence in the legal system depends on transparency and accountability,” one of the former judges said in a statement released by the group. “When legal defense funds operate alongside political fundraising structures, clear safeguards are necessary.”
Representatives for Trump rejected the allegations on Thursday, calling the complaint politically motivated. A spokesperson said the defense fund complies with applicable laws and disclosure requirements and described the effort as “another attempt to target President Trump and his supporters.”
Details about the specific regulatory concerns remain unclear. The complaint reportedly seeks a review by federal authorities of disclosure procedures, donor reporting practices and potential coordination between political committees and legal defense entities.
Trump has continued to face legal challenges related to investigations and civil proceedings that escalated during and after his 2024 presidential campaign. His allies have repeatedly argued that the cases are politically driven, while prosecutors in several jurisdictions have said the investigations were conducted independently and based on evidence gathered over time.
Legal defense funds are commonly used by public officials and political figures to offset legal expenses. Ethics experts, however, have long debated how such funds should disclose donors and whether contribution limits or conflict-of-interest rules should apply in certain cases.
The nonprofit organization behind the complaint said former judges joined the effort because they believed the matter involved broader concerns about public trust in legal institutions. The organization said it was not seeking to influence ongoing court proceedings.
Federal oversight agencies contacted by reporters did not immediately comment on whether a formal review had been opened. As of Thursday evening, no enforcement action had been announced.
