US judge indefinitely blocks Trump's $1.8bn 'anti-weaponisation' fund, demands sworn proof it is dead
A federal judge has indefinitely halted the $1.8 billion fund, intended to compensate people claiming unfair prosecution, and ordered top Trump administration officials to swear under penalty of perjury that it will not proceed.
A controversial fund from an IRS settlement
The $1.776 billion fund, announced on May 18 as part of President Trump's settlement of a $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, was designed to compensate individuals who claim to be victims of politically motivated prosecutions. A five-member commission would have vetted claims, but the framework did not exclude people charged in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, sparking immediate bipartisan backlash.
Court extends block, demands sworn proof
Judge Leonie Brinkema of the Eastern District of Virginia on Friday converted a temporary halt into a preliminary injunction, barring the administration from taking any further steps toward the fund. She gave Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent one week to submit sworn declarations that the fund will not proceed "in any manner, or under any name," under penalty of perjury.
We just don't have the absolute certainty that this fund won't rear its head in another form.
Administration's mixed signals
Todd Blanche told lawmakers earlier this month that the Department of Justice was "not moving forward with the fund, period." But President Trump has continued to speak favorably about the idea, and media reports indicated White House officials had privately assured allies that some form of payout could still materialize. This divergence led Brinkema to conclude that a simple withdrawal was insufficient and that only sworn declarations would close the door.
We're not moving forward with the fund, period.
Separate court warning
In a parallel case, U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon in Washington declined on June 10 to issue his own restraining order, accepting the administration's assurance the plan was shelved. He cautioned government lawyers not to deceive the court.
Don't play possum with this court.
Plaintiff celebrates injunction
Andrew Floyd, a former federal prosecutor who handled Jan. 6 cases and sued to block the fund, welcomed the ruling. He said the injunction prevents taxpayer money from being used to "pay off those who attacked our democracy" and pledged to continue the legal fight.
I'm heartened that the injunction continues to prevent $1.776 billion in taxpayer money from being used to pay off those who attacked our democracy.
Timeline of the fund's short life
- Trump administration announces $1.776 billion fund as part of IRS lawsuit settlement.
- Judge Brinkema issues temporary halt to the fund.
- Judge Richard Leon declines to block fund but warns administration not to 'play possum'.
- Judge Brinkema issues preliminary injunction, blocks fund indefinitely and demands sworn statements within a week.
