Discussions among a group of lawyers with allegiance to the president were closely held. Some senior White House officials were said to have felt blindsided as the agreement took shape.
The ruling was a blow to both President Trump, who had voluntarily dismissed the suit last week, and to the Justice Department, which used the suit to establish a fund likely intended for Trump allies.
The president said more countries should be required to recognize Israel as part of a deal to end the war with Iran. Analysts say the chances of that happening are close to zero.
Ms. Carroll, who prevailed in a civil trial after accusing President Trump of sexual abuse, is the latest target in a Justice Department campaign going after his perceived enemies.
Judges and grand juries have increasingly lost faith in the Justice Department as the president uses it to reward his friends and go after his opponents.
After the prime minister made the announcement, the Israeli military said it had struck more than 70 Hezbollah sites in the past day.
Without the details of a formal agreement, it is unclear how soon normal shipping will resume and when oil prices will start to come down.
A gunman known to the U.S. Secret Service opened fire near the White House and was shot and killed by federal officers. President Trump was in the White House at the time.
Louisiana wants the Food and Drug Administration to curtail access to the medication. Doing so could cost Republicans at the polls.
Israel spent over a year preparing a covert site in Iraq for its operations against Iran, regional officials say. Iraqi officials later confirmed the existence of a second base.