Judge to review Trump’s $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund
The Story
A federal judge will review the Trump administration’s nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” after a group of former federal judges questioned its legitimacy. The fund was established after Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns was settled by agreeing to create the taxpayer-supported fund. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams in Florida ordered Trump’s lawyers to respond to a motion from 35 former federal judges who argued the lawsuit is “a fraud on the court.” The former judges, appointed by both Democrat and Republican presidents, described the case as “collusion” between the president’s lawyers and the federal government. Williams had initially dismissed the lawsuit following the settlement but now said the court is “empowered to investigate serious misconduct.” Separately, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Virginia temporarily froze the fund, ordering officials to stop setting up the money to ensure no funds are irreversibly disbursed. A hearing is set for June 12. A Justice Department spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment, but officials said on social media they will do everything to make whole those “persecuted for political purposes.”
Key Facts
- A federal judge will review the nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” after a motion from 35 former federal judges.
- The fund was created after Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over his tax return leak settled with the establishment of the taxpayer-supported fund.
- Judge Kathleen Williams ordered Trump’s lawyers to respond to the motion arguing the lawsuit is “a fraud on the court.”
- The former judges, appointed by both parties, described the case as “collusion” and alleged the court was “deceived.”
- Williams, an Obama appointee, initially dismissed the lawsuit but now says the court can investigate serious misconduct.
- Judge Leonie Brinkema in Virginia temporarily froze the fund, ordering officials to stop disbursements, with a June 12 hearing set.
- The freeze resulted from a lawsuit by former DOJ lawyer Andrew Floyd and others arguing the fund was not approved by Congress and facilitates abuse of taxpayer funds.
- Legal expert Adam Zimmerman told NPR the fund “doesn’t address real legal injuries” and is unlike any past compensation fund.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
No open questions identified in the source article.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams
- 35 former federal judges (no names given)
- U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema
- Andrew Floyd, former Justice Department lawyer
- Adam Zimmerman, law professor at University of Southern California
Sources: NPR
