Tag

Anti Weaponization Fund

All articles tagged with #anti weaponization fund

DOJ blocks court’s push for official sign-off on the anti-weaponization fund
politics20 days ago

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.

Judge presses for sworn pledge to block $1.8B anti-weaponization fund as DOJ resists
politics21 days ago

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.

politics24 days ago

Senate Republicans press Blanche for assurances as DOJ confirmation advances

Todd Blanche is courting GOP votes for his attorney general nomination, privately assuring lawmakers that the controversial Anti-Weaponization Fund—tied to up to $1.8 billion in payouts—will not be pursued. He faces questions about his ties to Trump, the Epstein file releases, and other Trump-era issues as a July 15 Judiciary Committee hearing approaches, with Democrats unlikely to back him; securing enough GOP support for a floor vote in August remains uncertain.

politics28 days ago

Trump Lawyers Defend Settlement Tied to 'Anti-Weaponization' Fund Amid Collusion Claims

Trump’s private lawyers defended the Florida IRS settlement that created an “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” arguing it wasn’t evidence of collusion and that the case was properly dismissed; they said settlement terms should not be revisited, even as lawmakers criticized the deal and 35 former federal judges urged the judge to reopen the case.

Judge demands sworn pledge to halt Trump’s Anti-Weaponization Fund amid lawsuit
politics28 days ago

Judge demands sworn pledge to halt Trump’s Anti-Weaponization Fund amid lawsuit

A federal judge ordered Acting AG Blanche, Treasury Secretary Bessent, and Associate AG Woodward Jr. to file a sworn declaration within a week stating they will not create or operate the so-called Anti-Weaponization Fund, with the court warning that any reversal could amount to perjury; the DOJ says no fund exists, despite reports of potential payouts linked to a $1.776 billion settlement for weaponization claims, while plaintiffs continue to pursue the lawsuit and the court previously blocked related actions.

Virginia Judge Extends Blocking of Trump's $1.8B Anti-Weaponization Fund, Seeks Under‑Oath Proof It’s Dead
politics28 days ago

Virginia Judge Extends Blocking of Trump's $1.8B Anti-Weaponization Fund, Seeks Under‑Oath Proof It’s Dead

A Virginia federal judge extended an injunction blocking Trump's $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and gave the government a week to provide sworn, penalty‑of‑perjury declarations from acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirming the fund is dead, as lawsuits challenge its legality and status remains in flux amid questions about whether it could reappear in another form.

Virginia Judge Extends Stay on DOJ’s $1.8B Anti-Weaponization Fund
politics29 days ago

Virginia Judge Extends Stay on DOJ’s $1.8B Anti-Weaponization Fund

A federal judge in Alexandria, Virginia extended a preliminary injunction blocking the DOJ from implementing its $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, demanding written sworn guarantees from the DOJ and Treasury that the fund will not move forward after Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testified it wasn’t going ahead. The fund, tied to a Trump IRS settlement and potentially used to compensate individuals affected by DOJ actions (including Jan. 6 defendants), faced backlash and the court gave a week to receive the sworn declarations as plaintiffs seek a longer-term halt.

politics1 month ago

Judge leaves 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' in limbo as DOJ says halt is in place

A federal judge declined to issue a temporary restraining order to block the Trump-era $1.776 billion ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund,’ saying the issue may be moot after acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the plan is being abandoned. Nevertheless, the fund remains blocked by a separate court order, and CREW argues the underlying settlement still governs the project. Trump has floated reviving the idea, while the judge signaled he’ll act if new signs emerge that the fund could proceed; paperwork deadlines tied to the settlement (board by June 17, transfers by July 17) were noted in filings, and a related Virginia case continues.

politics1 month ago

DOJ official weighed tapping Trump’s 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' before stepping back

Patrick Davis, the Justice Department’s top official for congressional affairs, reportedly planned to file a claim with Donald Trump’s controversial ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’ and asked to recuse himself over a potential conflict; the move alarmed colleagues as the fund faced backlash and was ultimately described as dead by acting AG Todd Blanche. Davis’s background—longtime Grassley aide and prior records subpoenas related to the Russiagate probe—provided context for concerns about his involvement and recusal.

politics1 month ago

Trump Defends $1.8B Anti-Weaponization Fund Amid Settlement Push

President Donald Trump defended the $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund on NBC's Meet the Press, urging Congress to approve a settlement with the IRS tied to a DOJ-led dispute over leaked tax returns; the fund has faced bipartisan backlash as critics call it a slush fund for allies connected to January 6. A Virginia judge temporarily blocked payouts as legal challenges continue, and Senate Republicans recently advanced a separate immigration bill that included language addressing the fund.

Trump backs controversial 'anti-weaponization' fund for Capitol attackers
politics1 month ago

Trump backs controversial 'anti-weaponization' fund for Capitol attackers

In a Meet the Press interview, Trump would not rule out using the nearly $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund to compensate those charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, arguing they were treated unfairly; the fund faces legal challenges with a judge briefly blocking it and the acting attorney general saying it won’t move forward. He defended the protesters, saying some pled guilty out of fear, and the report notes roughly 1,600 charged and 1,100 sentenced, along with his history of pardoning many participants.

Trump hints at payouts for Jan. 6 protesters via 'anti-weaponization' fund, while casting doubt on California results
politics1 month ago

Trump hints at payouts for Jan. 6 protesters via 'anti-weaponization' fund, while casting doubt on California results

In a Meet the Press interview, Trump did not rule out using taxpayer funds to pay people charged with assaulting police during the Jan. 6 attack and defended the so-called 'anti-weaponization' fund, while claiming California's election results were rigged; the fund's near $1.8 billion remains unsettled amid court challenges and government hesitancy to move forward.