Judge declines to block 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' officials say is halted

Source: Politico

06/10/2026 06:03 PM EDT


A federal judge has turned down a bid to formally block the Trump administration from moving forward with a controversial $1.776 billion fund to compensate people claiming to be victims of politically motivated prosecutions and investigations. During a brief hearing in Washington on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon declined to issue a temporary restraining order a watchdog group requested to prevent the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” from being set up and from disbursing payments. A federal judge overseeing a separate lawsuit in Virginia has already temporarily blocked the administration from establishing the fund.

Following a political firestorm over the proposal, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told a House hearing last week that the plan was being abandoned. “We’re not moving forward with the fund, period,” Blanche said. However, Blanche refused to put that commitment in writing. In an interview recorded three days later, President Donald Trump sounded eager to revive the plan. “Me, personally, I think the weaponization fund is a great idea, and so do many other Republicans,” Trump told NBC’s “Meet The Press.” “You have to get it approved. … If they don’t get it approved, I’d be disappointed.”

Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, said he wasn’t convinced Trump’s remarks meant the fund was back on. “He might be doing that … for political benefit to himself,” the judge said. Leon said the lawsuit filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington “appears to be moot” in light of the administration’s recent claims.

The judge said he was entitled to rely on statements in court filings that the fund is not proceeding, and he noted that he has the power to impose sanctions on attorneys who make false statements to the court. He also said he will continue to consider a preliminary injunction request from the group, suggesting he will spring into action if there are more signs that the fund is coming back to life. “I give the Justice Department this warning: Don’t play possum with me,” Leon said.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/10/anti-weaponization-fund-ruling-lawsuit-00957744