Judge Leonie Brinkema Halts Trump Administration Transfers Into Anti-Weaponization Fund

A federal judge in Virginia temporarily blocked the Trump administration from transferring any money into its “Anti-Weaponization Fund” while a legal challenge proceeds, with U.S. district judge Leonie Brinkema ordering the government to avoid “taking other further action” in the fund’s creation or operation.

The fund is described as a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” program, and ABC News said it was established as a $1.776 billion fund by the Justice Department to compensate people who allege they were wrongly targeted under the Biden administration.

ABC News

ABC News reported that acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said, “Anybody in this country is eligible to apply if they believe they're a victim of weaponization,” while the Brinkema order barred transfers of money, consideration of claims, and disbursing funds.

CNN reported that on Friday the fund was dealt two blows in court, including a separate order in a different federal case requiring Trump to respond to claims he committed “fraud” on the court.

The Guardian said the government has said anyone who is a victim of government weaponization can submit a claim, with the fund controlled by four commissioners appointed by the U.S. attorney general and a fifth appointed in consultation with congressional leadership.

NBC News reported that the process to apply for money can’t officially begin until five commissioners are chosen to decide how the money is doled out, even as people who claim they were targeted have already requested money.

ABC News

NBC News quoted Democracy Forward President and CEO Skye Perryman saying the judge’s order “recognized the urgent need to prevent taxpayer dollars from being distributed through a secretive and unprecedented political compensation scheme.”

CNN said the fund is stalled amid backlash from multiple Senate Republicans, and it quoted Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell calling it “Utterly stupid, morally wrong — take your pick,” after describing it as a slush fund to pay people who assault cops.

Democracy Docket reported that U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams opened an inquiry probing whether Trump’s lawyers made the court a “victim of a fraud” by colluding through his lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service to create the fund.

“Capitol rioters clamor for payouts from Trump’s new ‘anti-weaponization’ fund despite backlash Capitol rioters clamor for payouts from Trump’s new ‘anti-weaponization’ fund despite backlash WASHINGTON (AP) — David Johnston was a licensed attorney when he illegally entered the Capitol with a mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters on Jan”

AP News

Democracy Docket said the allegations stemmed from a brief filed by a group of 35 former federal judges asking the court to reopen the case due to questions about “manipulation of the judicial system,” and it quoted their brief: “The Court was deceived.”

AP News described how Jan. 6 defendants and supporters are already seeking payouts from the fund, including David Johnston offering to help fellow “J6ers” apply for payouts for a 10% cut capped at $5,000 apiece.

AP News also quoted Jason Riddle, a New Hampshire veteran sentenced to 90 days behind bars after pleading guilty to riot charges, rejecting a pardon and saying, “I’d love money, but I can’t accept that.”