WASHINGTON, United States — A U.S. Federal Judge has temporarily blocked the administration of President Donald Trump from establishing a controversial $1.8 billion fund designed to compensate individuals who claim to be victims of government “weaponization” and political targeting.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema issued the restraining order on Friday, May 29, halting all operations and financial transfers to the program until at least June 12 to allow the court time to review ongoing legal challenges.
Okay News reports that the U.S. Justice Department had announced the creation of the $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” just last week as part of a legal settlement regarding the historical leak of President Trump’s tax records. The fund was intended to provide financial restitution to conservative figures and allies who claimed they were unfairly targeted by previous federal investigations and criminal prosecutions.
The program faced immediate national backlash and multiple lawsuits from civil rights organizations, which labeled it a taxpayer-funded political rewards program. Critics, including several Republican lawmakers, raised sharp concerns that the criteria could allow individuals convicted in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots to receive government payouts.
Judge Brinkema ruled that the temporary freeze was necessary to prevent public funds from being irreversibly distributed before a final determination on the legality of the program could be made. In response, a Justice Department spokesperson defended the initiative, stating that the administration remains confident in the legality of the fund and will continue working to provide restitution to victims of politically motivated legal actions.
