The Trump administration’s ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’ aims to compensate people who say the government unfairly targeted them|Ad Meskens|CC BY-SA 3.0
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from moving forward with its proposed $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which aims to compensate people who say the government unfairly targeted them.
District Judge Leonie Brinkema ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to stop all actions related to the fund while the court reviews the case.
The order prevents the DOJ from transferring money into the fund, reviewing claims, or making any payments.
The lawsuit was filed by former federal prosecutor Andrew Floyd and others, who argue that the fund is unconstitutional and operates like a political “slush fund.” They say Congress never approved the program.
The DOJ defended the plan and said it remains confident the fund is legal and that it would provide restitution to victims of what they call “lawfare.”
The fund was created as part of a settlement tied to President Donald Trump’s lawsuit over the leak of his tax returns. Several other legal challenges against the program are also pending.