Judge Brinkema Blocks Trump’s $1.776 Billion Fund Until June 12 Hearing
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 29
Judge Brinkema Blocks Trump’s $1.776 Billion Fund Until June 12 Hearing
35 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 29
A Virginia federal judge issued a temporary restraining order barring the Trump administration from creating the $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund or moving money into it before a June 12 hearing.
The lawsuit, brought by a former federal prosecutor and others, argues the fund violates the law and Constitution and could channel taxpayer money to people claiming harm from government “weaponization,” including Jan. 6 defendants.
The ruling lands as the fund was still being set up and after backlash had already spread beyond Democrats to Senate Republicans, who have demanded guardrails such as blocking payments to violent Jan. 6 rioters.
That court pause now complicates Republicans’ reconciliation bill, with funding for years of immigration enforcement and other priorities still tangled up as GOP leaders weigh restricting or even nullifying the fund.
Without judicial oversight, what safeguards can ensure the $1.776B fund is distributed fairly and not for political purposes?
With states planning to tax all payouts, what is the ultimate future for the fund's intended beneficiaries?
Can a legal settlement fund legally compensate individuals who were not part of the original lawsuit?