WASHINGTON — A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from proceeding with a proposed nearly $1.8 billion payout fund intended to compensate individuals who claim they were targeted by government “weaponization,” officials and court records said.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Alexandria, Virginia, issued a temporary restraining order on May 29 blocking the Justice Department from taking any further action to establish or operate the so-called Anti-Weaponization Fund, including transferring money, considering claims or disbursing payments.
The fund was announced as part of a settlement resolving President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns. The Justice Department said it would draw from the government’s Judgment Fund to address claims of alleged lawfare and political targeting.
Critics, including a former January 6 prosecutor and other plaintiffs, challenged the fund in court, arguing it lacked proper oversight and could improperly benefit certain individuals. The administration has said the fund would be available to anyone claiming harm from government actions, regardless of political affiliation.
Judge Brinkema scheduled a hearing for June 12 to consider whether to extend the block. As of Friday, the order remained in effect, preventing any payouts or further setup of the fund, according to court documents and Justice Department statements.
The proposed fund drew significant attention and criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Some Republican lawmakers expressed concerns about potential eligibility for participants in the January 6, 2021, Capitol events, while opponents described it as a potential slush fund.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche previously stated that the department would abide by the court’s ruling despite disagreeing with it. Details on any potential next steps or modifications to the proposal remain unclear.
"This Fund was open to anybody who was so weaponized, targeted, or persecuted, whether they were Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Independent, or otherwise," the Justice Department said in a statement following the initial announcement.
The settlement that created the fund also included a formal apology to Trump and his family but no direct monetary payment to them. The lawsuit stemmed from the public disclosure of Trump’s tax information.
Legal experts and plaintiffs have raised questions about the fund’s structure, including the appointment of a board to review claims and the lack of specific eligibility criteria in initial announcements. The administration has not detailed how many claims might be submitted or the expected distribution of funds.
As of Friday, the Justice Department had not transferred funds into the account or begun processing claims, officials said. The court hearing on June 12 and any subsequent rulings are expected to determine the fund’s future. Further details on the litigation are anticipated in the coming days.
