Washington — A federal judge has issued a temporary halt on the Justice Department’s progress with the newly established Anti-Weaponization Fund, valued at over $1.7 billion, including stopping any disbursements.
In a concise directive on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema declared a temporary pause to thoroughly evaluate a request for extended intervention by plaintiffs contesting the fund, introduced by the Justice Department earlier this month. The order prohibits the department from advancing any initiatives related to the fund’s establishment or management, ensuring no irreversible financial transactions occur. This includes halting money transfers to the fund, reviewing claims, and making any payouts.
The lawsuit was brought forth by Andrew Floyd, a former federal prosecutor involved in the January 6 Capitol riot prosecution, Jonathan Caravello, a California professor apprehended during an immigration protest, and some nonprofit organizations. They claim the fund lacks legality.
The plaintiffs assert that the fund represents a “collusive agreement” orchestrated by President Trump and his administration, which is not sanctioned by Congress, lacks legal foundation, and fails to ensure accountability.
Following Judge Brinkema’s decision, Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, which represents the plaintiffs, expressed that the court acknowledged the need to safeguard taxpayer money from being dispensed through a covert and unprecedented political compensation scheme until the program’s legality is thoroughly assessed by the judiciary.
In response to Brinkema’s order, Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, which is representing the plaintiffs, said the court “recognized the urgent need to prevent taxpayer dollars from being distributed through a secretive and unprecedented political compensation scheme before the legality of that program can be fully reviewed by the court.”
“This is a victory for transparency, the rule of law, and the American people,” she said in a statement. “No administration has the authority to spend public money through a political rewards program that Congress never authorized. We look forward to the next stages in this case.”
The Anti-Weaponization Fund was created by the Justice Department as part of a settlement of Mr. Trump’s civil lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns by a former government contractor.
The Justice Department said the program aims to “provide a systematic process to hear and redress claims of others who suffered weaponization and lawfare.” A five-member board would determine payouts from the $1.7 billion pot.
But the Trump administration has come under pressure over the fund, including from Republicans on Capitol Hill, due to concerns that people involved in the Jan. 6 attack would seek and receive payments. Mr. Trump granted clemency to more than 1,500 people who were convicted of crimes stemming from the Capitol assault and has suggested they were treated unfairly.
There have not yet been any official announcements by the Justice Department naming the five commission members who would approve claims and set the criteria for who would be entitled to a cut of the fund.
The lawsuit is one of many filed in recent days to stop the fund’s implementation. Two other law enforcement officers who clashed with rioters on Jan. 6 sued to block the fund, as have government oversight and accountability groups.
Legal experts, however, are skeptical that the lawsuits could obtain permanent relief and dismantle the fund.
