A federal judge in Virginia blocked the Trump administration’s proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, but is not quick to believe the rogue administration will respond in good faith.
Lest the fund should “rear its head in some other guise,” U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema has ordered administration officials to provide, within a week, a sworn written statement to guarantee that this will not happen.
The fund was intended to compensate people who claimed they were unfairly targeted by federal authorities, but critics worried it could pay some January 6 defendants.
The case highlights concerns that the executive branch may have tried to create a large compensation program without clear congressional approval, raising constitutional and oversight questions.
Summarized from “Judge Gives Trump Administration a Week to Guarantee ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Fund Is Dead” by Derek Hawkins, NOTUS, June 12, 2026