A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from distributing money through its newly created $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” setting up a legal battle over one of the administration’s most controversial initiatives.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema ordered the government to maintain the status quo until she can consider an emergency request to halt the program altogether.
“It is important that the status quo be maintained until plaintiffs’ pending Motion has been resolved,” Brinkema wrote in her order.
The fund was established through a settlement agreement after President Donald Trump dropped his lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. According to the Justice Department, the program is designed to compensate Americans who believe they were unfairly targeted by government agencies through “weaponization” or politically motivated legal actions.
Under the plan, approved claimants could receive financial compensation and formal apologies from the federal government.
Critics argue the fund could become a taxpayer-funded payout program for political allies and individuals claiming mistreatment by federal authorities. Supporters say it provides a path for victims of government abuse to seek redress.
Several groups and individuals have challenged the legality of the fund, including a former federal prosecutor involved in January 6 cases, a California professor arrested during an immigration protest, the city of New Haven, Connecticut, the National Abortion Federation, and government watchdog group Common Cause.
Brinkema has scheduled a June 12 hearing to consider whether the fund should remain blocked while the lawsuit moves forward. The Justice Department has been ordered to respond to the plaintiffs’ arguments within the next week.
For now, no money can be distributed from the fund until the court decides whether the program can proceed.
