DOJ blocks court’s push for official sign-off on the anti-weaponization fund

The Justice Department told Judge Leonie Brinkema that providing declarations from senior officials (including Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche) affirming that the $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund will not proceed is unnecessary and raises separation-of-powers concerns, arguing the court cannot compel such testimony. The filing cites Blanche’s congressional testimony that the fund is not moving forward and notes the administration’s stance could moot the case, while a DOJ account on X reiterates that decisions on settlements remain the department’s authority. The story also references ongoing critiques by retired federal judges about the original IRS lawsuit against Trump.