Federal Judge freezes Trump’s $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization (Slush) Fund
(Images: Donald Trump and US District Judge Kathleen Williams)
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from moving forward with its controversial $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, pausing all activity related to the program while a legal challenge proceeds. Trump’s original $10B IRS lawsuit has been reopened over ‘grievous’ claims of fraud.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema of Virginia issued the order on May 29, preventing the Justice Department from transferring money into the fund, reviewing claims, or distributing payments. The ruling preserves the status quo until a June 12 hearing, where the court will consider whether a longer-term injunction is warranted.
Friday afternoon, the federal judge who was overseeing Trump’s unprecedented lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service ordered him to respond to claims that he committed “fraud” on the court warranting an inquiry into potential wrongdoing by both sides.
US District Judge Kathleen Williams directed Trump, his adult sons and the Trump Organization to respond by June 12 to accusations raised this week by nearly three dozen former federal judges that they acted in a collusive manner with the Justice Department lawyers representing the IRS to reach an out-of-court settlement.
The fund was created as part of a settlement resolving President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the disclosure of his tax records. Administered through the Justice Department, the program is intended to compensate individuals who claim they were harmed by what Trump and his allies describe as government “weaponization” or politically motivated law enforcement actions.
The lawsuit challenging the fund was brought by a coalition that includes former federal prosecutor Andrew Floyd, who worked on Capitol riot cases before being dismissed from the Justice Department, along with advocacy groups, the city of New Haven, Connecticut, and other plaintiffs. They argue the fund is unconstitutional and unlawfully draws money from the federal Judgment Fund, a Treasury account traditionally used to pay legal settlements and claims against the government.
Critics from across the political spectrum have questioned the program, with opponents describing it as a potential political compensation scheme lacking sufficient public oversight. Some Republican lawmakers have also raised concerns about the possibility that individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack could ultimately receive compensation.
In court filings, plaintiffs argued that allowing the fund to begin operating before the legal issues are resolved could cause irreversible harm if taxpayer money is distributed. Judge Brinkema agreed that a temporary pause was necessary while the court reviews the case.
The Justice Department defended the program, saying it remains “extremely confident” in the fund’s legality and arguing that it is supported by historical precedent. Officials maintain the fund is designed to provide restitution to people who were unfairly targeted by government actions and insist eligibility is not based on political affiliation.
The administration had planned to establish a five-member commission to evaluate claims and oversee payments, but the judge’s order effectively freezes those efforts for now.
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(Sources: CNN, NBC News, Reuters, Fox News)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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