ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA — A federal judge on Friday extended a court order blocking the Trump administration’s proposed $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund and ordered government officials to provide formal assurances that the program will not move forward.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled that the legal requirements for an injunction had been met and rejected the administration’s argument that the dispute was moot. While Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche recently told Congress that the administration intended to abandon the program, Brinkema noted that President Donald Trump has not publicly confirmed the fund’s cancellation.
The judge gave both sides one week to negotiate a binding agreement and specifically requested a sworn declaration from Blanche stating that the administration will not revive the fund.
The Anti-Weaponization Fund was created as part of a settlement stemming from Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the disclosure of his tax returns. The proposal would have directed approximately $1.776 billion from the federal Judgment Fund to compensate individuals who claimed they were harmed by government investigations or what supporters described as political “lawfare.”
The proposal immediately drew criticism from lawmakers, legal experts, and advocacy groups across the political spectrum. Opponents argued that the fund lacked congressional authorization and could improperly distribute taxpayer money to individuals selected by the executive branch.
Several lawsuits were filed challenging the legality of the program, including one brought by Capitol Police officers. Critics characterized the proposal as an unauthorized “slush fund” that could benefit political allies, while supporters argued it would compensate people who were unfairly targeted by government actions.
Brinkema’s ruling does not permanently strike down the program but ensures it remains frozen while legal proceedings continue. The court’s demand for a sworn commitment suggests concerns remain about whether the administration might attempt to revive the fund in the future.
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
