Justice Dept. Drops $1.776B Anti Weaponization Fund

The Justice Department will not proceed with a planned $1.776 billion fund intended for individuals who claim to have been targeted by government agencies, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told lawmakers on Tuesday. Blanche made the statement under questioning from Democratic Representative Grace Meng during a hearing before the House Appropriations Committee.

Blanche stated unequivocally that the department was abandoning the initiative. “We are not moving forward with the fund, period,” he said. When Meng pressed him to confirm this meant the fund was permanently shelved, Blanche replied, “Correct.”

The fund originated from a legal settlement between former President Donald Trump and the Internal Revenue Service, resolving a lawsuit over the leak of Trump’s tax returns by a contractor. As part of that broader settlement, the Justice Department agreed to establish the “Anti-Weaponization Fund.” A federal judge had recently issued a temporary block on the fund, pending further legal review.

Blanche’s announcement came amid significant political opposition. Some Senate Republicans had expressed skepticism and were reportedly delaying funding for other agencies over the issue....