Administration Refuses Written Pledge to Abandon $1.8 Billion Fund
6 verified5 unconfirmed
The Trump administration is refusing to provide a written declaration that its $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” has been abandoned, despite Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche telling Congress earlier this month that the fund is not moving forward. A federal judge ordered Blanche, Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr., and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to file a sworn statement that they would not take any action to create or operate the fund, but the Department of Justice declined, citing separation of powers concerns. Following Blanche’s congressional testimony, President Trump declined to confirm the payout effort was dead, stating that the fund is “a great idea” and that he would pay allies “the kind of money that they deserve.” Both sources report that behind the scenes, administration officials have privately assured allies that plans for some form of payout remain on track, while public opposition to the fund has led to a quieter approach. The fund, which critics have called a political slush fund, was intended to compensate individuals who claim they were victimized by government “weaponization” during the previous administration, including January 6 defendants and Trump allies.
What’s verified
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testified before a House subcommittee that the fund is “not going forward, period.”
The administration has refused to put that statement in writing, both before Congress and in response to a federal court order.
A federal judge ordered Blanche, Woodward, and Treasury Secretary Bessent to file a sworn declaration that the fund will not proceed; the Justice Department refused, citing separation of powers.
Behind the scenes, officials have privately assured allies that some form of payout remains on track, according to current and former officials and others familiar with internal conversations.
President Trump has stated in interviews that the fund is “a great idea” and that he would pay those he believes were wrongfully targeted.
The fund was announced on May 18 as part of a settlement resolving claims related to the disclosure of Trump’s tax returns.
Not yet confirmed
The exact mechanism for potential payouts remains under discussion, with officials reportedly exploring facilitating lawsuits and settlements.
It is unclear whether the fund itself will be revived or whether alternative payment arrangements will be used.
The roles of specific senators—including Republican John Curtis of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina—in opposing the fund or holding up Blanche’s confirmation were only detailed in one source.
The specific court order from Judge Leon and the DOJ’s earlier refusal there were only mentioned in one source.
No source answers whether any payments have already been made or are imminent.
Key figures
Todd Blanche – Acting Attorney General
Stanley Woodward Jr. – Associate Attorney General
Scott Bessent – Secretary of the Treasury
Donald Trump – President of the United States
Leonie Brinkema – U.S. District Judge
Richard Leon – U.S. District Judge (mentioned in one source)
Sources: theatlantic.com, newrepublic.com
