The Department of Justice has refused a federal judge’s demand for signed pledges from top officials promising not to launch a controversial $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund. A high-stakes legal battle is unfolding in federal court after the Department of Justice officially refused to hand over signed declarations promising it will not establish the disputed fund.
Background of the Dispute
The dispute centers on a massive pot of money that critics have openly labeled a ‘slush fund.’ The money was reportedly earmarked to compensate individuals who participated in the January 6 protests at the U.S. Capitol, as well as various political allies. According to court documents, the fund emerged from an alleged settlement between Donald Trump and his own administration.
Judge Leonie Brinkema had previously stepped in to halt the creation of the fund by issuing a preliminary injunction. To drop the ongoing lawsuit and consider the matter moot, the judge set a strict deadline requiring formal, sworn declarations from three key figures: acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr., and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
A top DOJ attorney argued the court order violates the separation of powers, while critics continue to slam the proposed fund as a political safety net. With the DOJ pushing back hard against the court’s demands, the future of the multi-billion-dollar fund remains tied up in legal limbo.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
