Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s $1.8B ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’ June 13

U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema extended a court block on President Trump’s $1.8 billion settlement fund on Friday, June 13. The fund was designed to pay people claiming they suffered unfair government prosecution. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress the fund was scrapped, but Trump has continued publicly supporting it. The judge rejected the government’s argument that lawsuits challenging the fund are now meaningless.

Why the Judge Rejected the Government’s Case

Judge Brinkema said the government’s claim that the case is moot does not hold up in court. She noted that neither acting Attorney General Todd Blanche nor President Trump have made clear, sworn statements under penalty of perjury that the fund is permanently dead. Trump told reporters last week, “I don’t know,” when asked if the fund was on hold or eliminated, contradicting Blanche’s statement to Congress that “We’re not moving forward with the fund, period.”

What the Fund Was Supposed to Do

The Trump administration created the $1.8 billion fund to resolve Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns. If allowed to proceed, the fund could have paid people charged and later pardoned by Trump for actions at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Plaintiffs suing to block the fund argue it illegally diverts taxpayer money to what they call a slush fund for Trump’s allies.

What Happens Next

Judge Brinkema gave the government one week to submit a clear, sworn declaration that the administration will not revive the fund. She said she needs statements signed by the Treasury Secretary and acting Attorney General Blanche to accept that the fund is truly abandoned. The judge extended the block until the parties can negotiate an agreement. A different federal judge in Washington, D.C., rejected a parallel request to block the fund, saying he accepts Blanche’s representation that it is now moot.

The Political Backlash

The fund faced fierce bipartisan opposition in Congress and was removed from legislation. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testified that the government is scrapping its plans for the fund. However, Trump’s continued public support for the idea has made the judge skeptical of the administration’s claims. Multiple lawsuits in Virginia, Washington D.C., California, and Florida continue to challenge the fund’s legality.

Final Thoughts

Judge Brinkema’s indefinite block stands until the Trump administration submits a sworn declaration that the fund is permanently dead. The contradiction between Blanche’s statements and Trump’s public support has left the court unconvinced the fund is truly abandoned.

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