Federal judge indefinitely blocks Trump’s ‘anti-weaponization fund’
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- A federal judge in Virginia, Leonie Brinkema, extended her block on the Trump administration’s proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund,” citing a lack of sworn statements confirming the fund’s termination.
- The fund was intended to compensate individuals who claimed to have been unfairly targeted by the federal government, including some charged and pardoned for actions during the January 6 Capitol attack.
- Brinkema expressed concern that the fund might be revived in another form and criticized the Department of Justice for not formally rescinding the memo that created the fund.
- Plaintiffs and advocacy groups praised the injunction, emphasizing the importance of preventing taxpayer money from being used to compensate individuals involved in criminal acts against law enforcement.
- The judge has given the government a week to provide sworn declarations from top officials affirming the fund is permanently discontinued, while the legal challenge continues.