Judge Pauses Trump Anti-Weaponization Fund

Sasun Bughdaryan, Unsplash

The Trump administration’s DOJ anti-weaponization fund has been halted by a federal judge, and the Justice Department says it will comply. The $1.776 billion fund was created to help people who claim they were targeted by the government during the Biden administration. Now, both Democrats and Republicans are pushing back hard against it.

What Is the Anti-Weaponization Fund?

The Justice Department announced the fund on May 18, 2026, as part of a legal settlement in President Donald J. Trump v. Internal Revenue Service. The case was filed after an IRS contractor, Charles Littlejohn, leaked tax return information belonging to President Trump, his sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, and the Trump Organization.

Under the settlement terms, Trump and the other plaintiffs agreed to drop the lawsuit with prejudice. They would receive a formal apology but no direct monetary payment.

As part of the deal, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche established the Anti-Weaponization Fund. The fund was designed to provide a process for others who believe they suffered from government targeting or what the DOJ called “lawfare.” Anyone could file a claim, regardless of political party.

The fund was set to receive $1.776 billion drawn from the federal judgment fund, a standing appropriation that allows the DOJ to settle cases. The fund was required to stop taking claims no later than December 1, 2028, and any leftover money would return to the federal government.

“The machinery of government should never be weaponized against any American,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in the official announcement. “As part of this settlement, we are setting up a lawful process for victims of lawfare and weaponization to be heard and seek redress.”

Federal Judge Halts the Fund

On May 30, 2026, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton serving in the Eastern District of Virginia, issued a temporary block on the fund. Her order prevented the DOJ from creating the fund or sending out any money while a legal challenge to the program moved forward. She also scheduled a hearing for June 12 to determine whether the injunction should remain in place.

On June 1, 2026, the DOJ responded publicly. The department posted a statement on X saying it disagreed strongly with the judge’s ruling but would follow the court’s order.

“The Department will abide by the Court’s ruling,” the DOJ posted, while also defending the fund as open to anyone who was “weaponized, targeted, or persecuted, whether they were Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Independent, or otherwise.”

A senior administration official told Axios on June 1 that the fund was “dead for now.” Another official said, “This has become a distraction.” That official added that the president still believes in the fund’s purpose but acknowledged, “nothing is final until it’s final.”

Democrats and Republicans Both Push Back

Political opposition to the Trump administration’s fund came from both parties, though for different reasons.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., vowed an all-out effort to eliminate the fund. “This week, Senate Democrats will launch a coordinated effort to kill the slush fund before one cent goes out the door,” Schumer wrote in a letter to colleagues. He pledged to force votes on the issue through the budget reconciliation process and other legislative channels.

“There will be no escape hatch,” Schumer said. “You do not fix a corrupt slush fund by promising to manage it better. You end it.”

Democrats also prepared amendments that would bar people convicted of rape or sexual assault from accessing fund money. Some critics raised concerns that those convicted for roles in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot could potentially qualify for payments.

Senate Republicans also expressed serious concerns. At a closed-door meeting with Acting Attorney General Blanche, at least half the Republican conference raised objections to the fund. Many senators were surprised by its announcement, which came just days before a critical reconciliation vote on immigration enforcement spending.

The fund’s timing helped stall a GOP push to advance $72 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol. Senate Republicans wanted the administration to address what guardrails, if any, would be put in place before they moved forward.

Tensions were already running high after President Trump backed primary challengers against sitting Republican senators, including Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and John Cornyn of Texas. Those moves added to frustration within the conference over the fund.

What Happens Next

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., met with President Trump at the White House on June 1 to discuss the fund’s future. Shortly after, reports emerged that the administration was moving to pause it.

The June 12 court hearing will determine whether the injunction stays in place. The DOJ has said it disagrees with the ruling but will follow the court’s decision while the legal process continues.

Engaging in our political process should be clear, meaningful, and effective—but too often, people feel overlooked or unsure how to make an impact. That’s where we come in.

Million Voices equips citizens with tools that inform, inspire, and activate. Through our MVP Program, we help get voter resources into the hands of people who don’t typically vote—encouraging greater participation where it matters most.

We also offer devotions and opportunities for prayer, connecting faith with action. Through our Write Now Campaign, volunteers send letters to low-propensity voters in key areas, helping inspire them to engage and make their voices heard.

Ready to take the next step? Learn more or sign up to get involved: https://millionvoices.org/volunteer/

You can also be notified when Candidate Fact Sheets become available in areas you care about: https://millionvoices.org/cfs-notify/