US DOJ to comply with court ruling on ‘anti-weaponization’ fund
The US Justice Department said Monday it will abide by a federal court ruling that halted disbursement of a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, though officials strongly disagreed with the decision amid reports the Trump administration may abandon the initiative altogether.
The US Justice Department said Monday it will comply with a federal court ruling that halted a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund — intended to compensate victims of alleged government "weaponization" and "lawfare" — while expressing strong disagreement with the decision.
Federal court intervention
US District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema halted disbursement of funds from the program, which was established to compensate individuals who suffered from alleged government "weaponization" and "lawfare." The department defended the initiative on X as an inclusive program available to all individuals regardless of political affiliation, according to the platform posts.
Congressional opposition
The fund has faced bipartisan criticism on Capitol Hill, where Senate Majority Leader John Thune suggested the White House should abandon the proposal if Congress passes a budget reconciliation package. Reports emerged Monday indicating the Trump administration may abandon the initiative altogether, with one source telling the Axios news site that the plan is "dead for now."
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Presidential response
US President Donald Trump told ABC News that "we are subject to the courts," adding that "at this moment, that's what it is." Asked whether he is giving up on the fund, Trump did not confirm but instead pointed to Friday's ruling, stating: "If a court doesn't allow it, and right now a court has it held up, what can you do?"
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