The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has rejected federal judge Leonie Brinkema's demand for a written, sworn declaration that the $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization fund' will not be advanced.
The Judge's Request and the Department's Response
Judge Brinkema had requested written, sworn statements from Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent affirming that the fund would not proceed. She indicated she would refuse to dismiss the lawsuit aimed at permanently blocking the fund unless those statements were provided.
However, Justice Department attorney Andrew Block, in a written filing submitted to the court on Friday, argued that this demand was 'unnecessary' and raised 'serious separation of powers concerns.'
The Department's Justification
Block noted that Acting Attorney General Blanche had testified before Congress stating, 'The fund is not moving forward, period,' that attorneys had twice made written statements to that effect, and that similar statements had been made in open court.
'All of these statements were made with the understanding that there are serious consequences for misrepresentation,' he stated.
Background and Controversy Surrounding the Fund
The Justice Department announced in May that it had created this fund as part of a settlement in a $10 billion lawsuit related to the IRS leak of former President Donald Trump's tax records.
The plan faced sharp criticism from both sides of the political spectrum over concerns that it could be used to make payments to specific individuals, including allies of Trump convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack.
Following Blanche's testimony, President Trump said he wanted the fund to proceed, and Judge Brinkema cited this statement as grounds for doubting the DOJ's claims and demanding a written declaration.
