Government · Alexandria
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.
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In brief
Judge Leonie Brinkema issued a preliminary injunction indefinitely barring the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund from moving forward, extending a temporary halt from late May.
Brinkema gave Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent one week to provide sworn declarations that the fund will not proceed in any form.
While Blanche told Congress the fund was dead, President Trump has continued to express support for compensating perceived victims of government weaponization, feeding judicial doubt.
The fund's framework did not exclude Capitol rioters, raising concerns from both parties that taxpayer money could go to those involved in the January 6, 2021 attack.
Former Jan 6 prosecutor Andrew Floyd, who sued to block the fund, said the injunction prevents taxpayer funding from being used to 'pay off those who attacked our democracy.'
- 18 MayTrump administration announces $1.776 billion fund as part of IRS lawsuit settlement.
- 5 JunJudge Brinkema issues temporary halt to the fund.
- 10 JunJudge Richard Leon declines to block fund but warns administration not to 'play possum'.
- 12 JunJudge Brinkema issues preliminary injunction, blocks fund indefinitely and demands sworn statements within a week.
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
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Sources and context
- Bloomberg BusinessTrump Denies Defrauding US Court to Create $1.8 Billion Fund
- The TelegraphJudge demands proof Trump's $1.8bn 'Jan 6 slush fund' is dead
- AxiosSwear Trump's weaponization fund is dead to kill lawsuit, judge says
- BBCUS judge indefinitely blocks Trump administration's 'anti-weaponisation' fund
- Leonie Brinkema
- U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia who indefinitely blocked the anti-weaponization fund.
- Todd Blanche
- Acting Attorney General who assured Congress the fund would not proceed but was ordered to swear to it under penalty of perjury.
- Scott Bessent
- Treasury Secretary ordered alongside Blanche to provide sworn declaration that the fund is dead.
- Andrew Floyd
- Former assistant U.S. attorney and Jan. 6 prosecutor who sued to block the fund.
- Richard J. Leon
- U.S. District Judge in Washington who declined a separate order against the fund but warned the administration.
- Donald Trump
- President of the United States who originated the fund and has continued to support the concept despite the administration saying it is dead.
- Places
- Washington, D.C.
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