Judge rejects bid to block $1.8B 'anti-weaponization' fund

Key Points:

• A federal judge in Washington rejected a request to temporarily block the Trump administration’s $1.776 billion settlement fund intended for victims of a "weaponized government," but warned the administration not to mislead the court.
• The judge ruled the case is currently moot, accepting acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s statement to Congress that the government is abandoning plans for the fund, though he will consider a preliminary injunction to block payouts permanently.
• A separate federal judge in Virginia has temporarily blocked the fund’s operations, with that order set to expire soon unless extended, while the Justice Department has yet to form the commission to manage payouts, and no claims have been accepted.
• The fund, created to resolve Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax returns, has faced bipartisan opposition, including from some Republicans, particularly over potential compensation for Capitol rioters.
• Legal challenges continue, including allegations in Florida that Trump may have abandoned his claims to avoid scrutiny, with courts reviewing whether the case should be reopened due to possible fraud and collusion.