Judge Warns Trump Could Revive $1.8 Billion Fund Despite DOJ Retreat
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 18
Judge Warns Trump Could Revive $1.8 Billion Fund Despite DOJ Retreat
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 18
Summary
A federal judge said Friday she remains concerned the Trump administration could still resurrect the scrapped $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund through other channels.
At a hearing in Alexandria, Judge Leonie Brinkema signaled she is not convinced the administration has fully abandoned payouts to people claiming they were wronged by the justice system.
The lawsuit is continuing even after Justice Department officials said the fund had been rescinded, with Brinkema indicating the case remains active because equivalent payment mechanisms may still exist.
Critics argue the fund would have steered taxpayer money to Trump supporters, making the dispute a broader test of whether the administration can compensate political allies after formally dropping the plan.