Judge presses for sworn pledge to block $1.8B anti-weaponization fund as DOJ resists

The Department of Justice told a federal judge it’s unnecessary to file sworn assurances that the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund won’t move forward, arguing leaders’ statements in Congress are enough. Judge Leonie Brinkema extended her block on the fund and demanded written declarations from Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before dismissing a suit to permanently block it. The fund, created as part of a Trump IRS-leak settlement, has drawn bipartisan criticism for the potential to pay those tied to the Jan. 6 riot. Blanche testified to Congress that the fund isn’t moving forward, but DOJ contends a written declaration isn’t needed and raises separation-of-powers concerns, while Trump has urged moving forward with the fund.