Trump’s DOJ denies court demand over $1.8bn ‘anti-weaponization’ fund

• The Department of Justice (DOJ) has declined to provide signed declarations from officials pledging not to establish the controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund.”
• A top DOJ lawyer, Andrew Block, said in a court filing that Judge Leonie Brinkema's demand for sworn documents was “unnecessary” and constituted judicial “overreach,” citing separation of powers concerns.
• Judge Brinkema had issued a preliminary injunction blocking the fund and required declarations from acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr., and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent by a deadline to consider the lawsuit moot.
• The proposed fund, labelled a 'slush fund' by critics, was intended to compensate January 6 rioters and allies, and was part of an alleged settlement between Trump and his administration, including provisions barring legal action against Trump and his family.
• Trump has claimed he was not involved in discussions about the fund but has expressed support for the idea.

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Trump’s DOJ refuses to supply signed statements saying ‘slush fund’ is really dead