The payments cite 28 U.S. Code § 2414 for authorization
28 U.S. Code § 2414 - in part: “Payment of final judgments rendered by a State or foreign court or tribunal against the United States, or against its agencies or officials upon obligations or liabilities of the United States, shall be made on settlements by the Secretary of the Treasury after certification by the Attorney General that it is in the interest of the United States to pay the same.”
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/2414
I don’t think it was in the interest of the United States to pay same. And where was there a final judgement? The entire thing is a mockery and Obama should be held accountable ddown to the last penny in his pocket.