Trump administration pushes to revive contested $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund
Legal experts say the Justice Department is still seeking to keep a $1.8 billion fund alive, despite a federal judge’s earlier order blocking it.
Supporters of President Donald Trump describe a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund as restitution for people they claim were unfairly targeted under the Biden administration, while opponents call it a slush fund for Jan. 6 supporters. After Judge Leonie Brinkema blocked the fund in June, the Justice Department did not provide the promised perjury-penalty declaration that it would not pursue the fund. Now, the department is asking the same judge to dismiss the lawsuit that stopped the fund, a move that could revive the controversial program.
The case will be argued in a Virginia federal court on Friday. Democracy Forward, which sued over the fund, says the administration is trying to avoid accountability by seeking dismissal.
Why it matters
The outcome will determine whether a controversial $1.8 billion fund for Trump allies can proceed, affecting federal spending and political accountability.
In this story
Related stories
4 in this thread