DOJ Refuses to Swear That $1.8 Billion 'Anti‑Weaponization' Fund Is Dead

Refusing to sign sworn declarations hands the matter to federal judges, leaving open whether the administration will pursue alternative payout routes.

Overview

A settlement created a roughly $1.776–$1.8 billion fund to compensate Trump‑aligned claimants, and courts have blocked any transfers or disbursements.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema ordered Acting AG Todd Blanche, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and AAG Stanley Woodward to file sworn declarations that the fund will not proceed, with a June 19 deadline.
The Justice Department declined to file those perjury‑penalized declarations and instead filed a status report saying no money has been moved into or out of the fund.
Multiple current and former officials and reporting say some people in the administration are privately exploring other ways to deliver payments, which watchdogs and lawmakers say raises oversight and appropriations concerns.
The dispute raises separation‑of‑powers questions because the Treasury could use the long‑standing Judgment Fund to pay claims without new congressional appropriations, and ongoing litigation will determine whether courts require formal rescission or more evidence the program is permanently closed.