A federal judge in Virginia has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from funding or making any payments from a nearly $1.8 billion settlement fund. The anti-weaponization fund, totaling $1.776 billion, was intended to compensate President Donald Trump's allies who believe they were victims of a weaponized government.
The fund was created by the Department of Justice as part of a settlement in a civil lawsuit brought by President Trump against the IRS over leaked tax records. It was designed to compensate individuals who claim they were unfairly investigated by previous presidents or were victims of so-called lawfare by Joe Biden's administration.
The judge has barred the administration from processing or paying any claims while she weighs a longer-term block as legal challenges continue. This action follows a suit filed by a January 6 prosecutor. The creation of the fund has faced strong criticism.