DOJ rebuffs judge's demand to state "anti-weaponization" fund is officially dead

Key Points:

• The Trump administration declined to submit a court declaration from senior officials confirming that the $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund is not moving forward, calling the judge's demand unnecessary and raising separation of powers concerns.
• U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema had ordered the declaration under penalty of perjury to ensure the program would not proceed in any form and issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Justice Department from creating or operating the fund.
• The fund was created to address claims of government "weaponization and lawfare" but faced backlash from Republicans concerned about potential payouts to individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol attack.
• Despite repeated assertions by the Justice Department and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche that the fund is not going forward, the judge remains skeptical since no sworn statement has been provided, and the lawsuit by nonprofits and a former federal prosecutor continues.
• The case challenges the existence and potential operation of the fund, with plaintiffs including the city of New Haven and advocacy groups Common Cause and the National Abortion Federation.