DOJ Weaponization Fund Update: Trump Admin Given One Week Deadline by Judge
A federal judge has given the Trump administration one week to submit a sworn declaration formally killing the $1.776 billion Anti‑Weaponization Fund. The deadline matters because the administration has not rescinded the May 18 order creating the fund, leaving open the possibility it could be revived. Plaintiffs who sued to block the program say they remain at risk unless the government commits, under oath, that the fund is permanently closed and cannot be reactivated.
Judge Leonie Brinkema said the record lacks "uncontestable evidence" that the administration has abandoned the plan, noting that President Donald Trump has continued to voice support for the concept. Her ruling keeps the fund frozen indefinitely while the Justice Department decides whether Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche or another senior official will sign a declaration stating the program is defunct.
What the Anti‑Weaponization Fund Is
The Anti‑Weaponization Fund was created through a settlement resolving Trump's lawsuit against the IRS, directing $1.776 billion into a designated account to compensate people who claim they were unfairly targeted by prior administrations. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche formalized the fund in a May 18 order, outlining how the money could be used and establishing a framework for a five‑member commission that was never formed. Plaintiffs argue the structure effectively functions as a discretionary payout system for Trump allies and violates Congress' control over federal spending.
What the Judge Ordered
Brinkema, an appointee of Bill Clinton, extended her injunction after DOJ attorney Andrew Block acknowledged he could not explain why Blanche has not rescinded his May 18 order establishing the fund. She said the absence of a written reversal - combined with Trump's public comments - leaves a "motive" for the administration to revive the program.
The judge told the parties to negotiate terms for a sworn declaration within a week. If DOJ submits one, she said she may consider the case moot.
Why the Fund Remains Controversial
The Anti‑Weaponization Fund was created as part of a settlement resolving Trump's lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns. Blanche's May 18 order directed Treasury to transfer $1.776 billion into a designated account to compensate people who claim they were targeted by prior administrations.
Plaintiffs - including a fired federal prosecutor, a college professor acquitted of assaulting federal agents, the city of New Haven, Common Cause, and the National Abortion Federation - argue the fund is unconstitutional and would function as a slush fund for Trump allies. They say they would be excluded from applying for compensation and could face renewed threats if individuals previously prosecuted for violence were paid.
Conflicting Signals From the Courts
In a parallel case in Washington, D.C., Judge Richard Leon declined to block the fund, saying he accepts the DOJ's representation that it is "moot." But he warned the administration not to "play possum," signaling he could revisit the issue if officials change course.
Brinkema, by contrast, said the government's assurances are insufficient without sworn testimony. She emphasized that the administration has not rescinded the underlying settlement agreement or Blanche's order - and that Trump's own comments suggest continued interest in the idea.
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This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 12:20 PM.