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Judge says lawsuit against Trump DOJ fund will proceed
CNBC • • nation
Key Points:
- A federal judge ruled that a lawsuit challenging the DOJ's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund will proceed due to the DOJ's refusal to provide a written confirmation that the fund is defunct, despite verbal assurances.
- Judge Leonie Brinkema emphasized that a written declaration under penalty of perjury would have sufficed to dismiss the lawsuit as moot, but the DOJ's refusal to rescind the May 18 memo establishing the fund suggests ongoing interest in the fund's use.
- The fund was created as part of a settlement related to Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and aims to compensate individuals allegedly harmed by DOJ overreach, but critics argue it could reward Trump allies, including those involved in the January 6 Capitol attack.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testified that the fund is "not going forward," but declined to issue a written rescission of the memo, raising concerns about the fund's status given continued presidential support.
- Plaintiffs include former federal prosecutor Andrew Floyd, professor Jonathan Caravello, and the city of New Haven, Connecticut; the DOJ must file its response to the lawsuit by July 17.
