Judge Extends Injunction on Trump’s $1.8B Anti-weaponization Fund

WHO:

CNN - U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump.

AP News - Plaintiffs include a former federal prosecutor, a college professor, the government watchdog Common Cause, the city of New Haven, Connecticut, and the National Abortion Federation.

WHAT:

CNN - Judge Leonie Brinkema stated that she does not believe the fund is fully dead, expressing skepticism about the administration's claims.

AP News - Brinkema ruled that the fund will remain blocked until further notice from the court, stating, “The (government’s) mootness argument, in my view, doesn’t go anywhere.”

CNBC - Brinkema gave Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent a week to submit written sworn declarations that the fund was not going forward.

CNN - Judge Leonie Brinkema stated that the fund could “rear its head” again in the future, describing the prospect of US Capitol rioters getting payments as “problematic.”

AP News - Brinkema gave the parties a week to negotiate an agreement for Trump administration officials to submit a sworn declaration that the administration won’t revive the fund.

CNBC - Brinkema's ruling came two days after a federal judge in the District of Columbia declined a request for a temporary restraining order against the fund.

CNN - Judge Leonie Brinkema stated, “When the President of the United States says” he wants something to happen, “that’s a pretty good indicator there will be an incentive and motive to make it happen.”

AP News - Brinkema ruled that the fund will remain blocked until further notice from the court, stating, “The (government’s) mootness argument, in my view, doesn’t go anywhere.”

CNBC - Brinkema gave Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent a week to submit written sworn declarations that the fund was not going forward.

CNN - A federal judge issued an order indefinitely blocking President Trump's proposed $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization fund."

CBS News - The judge expressed skepticism about the administration's claims that the program is not moving forward.

AP News - The fund was intended to compensate individuals claiming to be victims of a weaponized government.

CNBC - The fund was created as part of a settlement of Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS for the leak of his tax records.

WHERE:

CNN - The ruling was made in the Eastern District of Virginia.

CNBC - A separate case was heard in the District of Columbia.

WHEN:

AP News - The judge's original block on the fund was due to expire on a specified date, which was not mentioned.

CNBC - The DOJ announced the fund's creation on May 18, 2026.

WHY:

ABC News - Brinkema expressed concerns that senior officials have not put their commitment to not move forward with the fund in writing.

ABC News - The judge expressed concerns that senior officials have not put in their commitment to not move forward with the fund in writing.

CNN - The judge blocked the fund because officials have not provided sworn statements confirming it is dead.

AP News - The plaintiffs argue that the fund is unconstitutional and violates federal laws, as it was set up to compensate only those claiming unfair treatment by Democratic administrations.

CNBC - The fund faced bipartisan backlash, leading to the DOJ's decision to scrap its plans.

HOW:

CNBC - Brinkema's decision to issue a preliminary injunction against the fund came at the request of plaintiffs who have sued to block it permanently.

NBC News - Brinkema's decision to issue a preliminary injunction against the fund came at the request of plaintiffs who have sued to block it permanently.

CNN - Judge Brinkema gave the Justice Department a week to submit a sworn statement from a top official confirming the fund's cancellation.

AP News - The fund was criticized for potentially compensating individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

(UPDATED June 13, 2026 01:42 UTC)

A federal judge has ruled that a controversial fund will remain blocked for now, expressing skepticism about the government's claims that it is no longer moving forward. Judge Leonie Brinkema stated that she does not believe the fund is fully dead and has given Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent a week to provide written declarations confirming their commitment to halt the fund. This decision follows a request from plaintiffs seeking to permanently block the fund, as Brinkema noted concerns over senior officials not putting their commitment in writing.

(UPDATED June 12, 2026 21:29 UTC)

A federal judge has expressed concerns about the potential revival of a fund related to US Capitol rioters, calling the situation "problematic." Judge Leonie Brinkema has given the parties one week to negotiate an agreement requiring Trump administration officials to submit a sworn declaration affirming they will not reinstate the fund. This ruling follows a recent decision where another federal judge declined a request for a temporary restraining order against the fund, highlighting ongoing legal challenges surrounding it.

(UPDATED June 12, 2026 19:38 UTC)

A federal judge has ruled that a fund will remain blocked until further notice, emphasizing that when the President of the United States expresses a desire for action, it often leads to significant motivation to make it happen. Judge Leonie Brinkema has given Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent a week to provide written sworn declarations confirming that the fund will not proceed, citing concerns over the lack of written commitment from senior officials. This preliminary injunction was requested by plaintiffs seeking to permanently block the fund, highlighting ongoing legal tensions surrounding its implementation.

(UPDATED June 12, 2026 17:50 UTC)

A federal judge in Virginia has issued an order to indefinitely block President Trump's proposed $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization fund," which was intended to compensate individuals claiming to be victims of a weaponized government. The judge expressed skepticism about the administration's claims regarding the program's status and has given the Justice Department a week to provide a sworn statement confirming the fund's cancellation. Plaintiffs, including a former federal prosecutor and the government watchdog Common Cause, argue that the fund is unconstitutional and was set up to benefit only those alleging unfair treatment by Democratic administrations, leading to bipartisan backlash against the initiative.