- The judge blocked the fund indefinitely, saying DOJ verbal assurances are not sufficient proof.
- The DOJ has one week to file a sworn declaration confirming the fund will not be revived at all.
- Trump publicly defends funds on NBC, creating a direct contradiction with the DOJ abandonment claim.
A federal judge in Virginia has indefinitely blocked President Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, ruling that statements from the acting attorney general that the fund had been abandoned were not enough to dismiss the lawsuit challenging it.
US District Judge Leonie Brinkema extended her earlier temporary block after concluding she does not have enough evidence that the fund will not be revived.
The judge gave the Justice Department one week to submit a sworn declaration from Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stating the fund will not move forward. If that sworn statement is filed, Brinkema indicated she may consider the case dismissible.
Why the Judge Is Not Convinced
Blanche told Congress on June 2 that the administration was not moving forward with the fund, saying simply “period” to emphasize the finality of the decision. A separate federal judge in Washington DC accepted that representation and declined to block the fund in a parallel case.
Brinkema reached a different conclusion. Trump has continued defending the fund publicly and has not formally rescinded the May 18 order establishing it.
When asked why Blanche had not issued a formal rescission, Justice Department attorney Andrew Block told the judge he could not provide a concrete answer because he does not have direct access to Blanche.
“It’s a huge gap in the record that we don’t have an answer to that question,” Brinkema said.
What the Fund Was
Trump proposed the fund as part of settling a $10 billion lawsuit he filed against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns. The fund was designed to compensate people Trump argued were unfairly investigated or prosecuted by the Justice Department.
Critics, including congressional Democrats, called it a slush fund that could direct nearly $1.8 billion in taxpayer money to Trump’s allies, including potentially people convicted of attacking the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Blanche declined to rule out Capitol rioters who engaged in violence from being eligible to apply.
No money was ever paid out. The five-person commission that would have decided payout criteria was never formed.
What Comes Next
The administration has one week to produce the sworn statement Brinkema is demanding. If it refuses or fails to file, the lawsuit moves forward with the block remaining in place. Trump’s continued public support for the fund, including telling NBC’s Meet the Press that he would pay victims the money they deserve, gives the judge reason to doubt the administration’s informal assurances.
Related: Delaware Advances House Bill 441 to Ban Cryptocurrency ATMs
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. The article does not constitute financial advice or advice of any kind. Coin Edition is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of the utilization of content, products, or services mentioned. Readers are advised to exercise caution before taking any action related to the company.
