Judge isn’t swayed by government’s claims that plans for an ‘anti-weaponization fund’ are dead

On Friday, a federal judge in Virginia dismissed the notion that a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" for compensating President Donald Trump's political allies had been abandoned by the administration. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema rejected a government attorney's claims that the concept was dead, stating that the underlying issues remain alive and kicking.

The fund, intended to settle President Trump's lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns, faced fierce bipartisan backlash, potentially jeopardizing Attorney General Todd Blanche's Senate confirmation. Despite the administration's assurances, Trump continued to publicly express support for the fund. The judge noted that President Trump's continued backing and the lack of tangible evidence contradicted the government's claims.