Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s $1.8 Billion Anti-Weaponization Fund
A Virginia federal judge gave the Trump administration one week to provide written proof that its controversial $1.8 billion fund for supporters has been dissolved.
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA — A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction Friday halting the Trump administration’s nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund for one week, demanding the government provide written confirmation that the controversial program has been terminated.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema ordered the temporary halt during a hearing that lasted less than an hour, giving officials time to produce a “clear, unambiguous” agreement signed by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirming the fund’s dissolution.
“The balance of harms tips in the favor of the plaintiff,” said Brinkema, a Clinton administration appointee.
Fund Sparked Multiple Lawsuits
The Department of Justice announced the creation of the $1.776 billion fund on May 18 in exchange for President Donald Trump voluntarily dropping his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS for the leak of his tax returns nearly seven years ago.
The prospect that the fund would compensate Trump supporters, including those who assaulted police officers during the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, triggered multiple legal challenges across the country.
Challengers in the Virginia case included a former Department of Justice January 6 prosecutor who was fired last year and a protester at an immigration raid last year who was charged with a felony and has since been acquitted by a jury. The plaintiffs are represented by the legal advocacy groups Democracy Forward and Common Cause.
Government Attorney Under Pressure
During Friday’s hearing, Brinkema directed her first questions to Andrew Block, senior counsel to the U.S. associate attorney general, who appeared as the sole government representative.
“You’re a brave man, Mr. Block. You’re all by yourself. Frankly, you’re in the hot seat,” Brinkema told Block, noting his isolated position in the courtroom.
The judge immediately pressed Block on why Blanche has not formally rescinded the anti-weaponization fund in writing. This same question had previously been posed to Block by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in another related case.
Brinkema had already temporarily blocked the fund on May 29 on an emergency basis before issuing Friday’s preliminary injunction.
Week-Long Timeline Set
The one-week injunction provides federal officials time to produce the written documentation Brinkema demanded regarding the fund’s status. The judge’s order requires signatures from both the acting attorney general and treasury secretary to satisfy the court’s requirements.
The legal challenges represent the latest development in ongoing disputes over the Trump administration’s policies regarding supporters who participated in the January 6 Capitol events and other related prosecutions.
Multiple federal courts are now reviewing various aspects of the anti-weaponization fund, with judges demanding clarity from the Justice Department about the program’s current operational status.
