By Blessing Nweke
A federal judge on Wednesday denied a request to temporarily block the Trump administration’s proposed “anti weaponization” fund but cautioned Justice Department officials against providing unclear or inconsistent information about the initiative’s status.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon rejected a motion for a temporary restraining order sought by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), one of several groups challenging the planned $1.8 billion fund. Despite ruling against the immediate injunction, Leon sharply questioned the government’s handling of the matter during a court hearing.
“Don’t play possum with this court,” Leon warned a Justice Department attorney, expressing frustration over what he viewed as uncertainty surrounding whether the fund remains active.
The controversy stems from statements by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who recently told Congress that the fund was not moving forward. The Justice Department also stated in a court filing last week that the initiative is “not going forward.”
However, President Donald Trump appeared to signal support for the proposal during an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday. Trump said he liked the concept and suggested that individuals he considers victims of government “weaponization” should receive significant compensation.
The fund originated from an agreement involving Trump’s private attorneys and the federal government related to a $10 billion lawsuit filed by Trump, two of his sons and the Trump Organization over the disclosure of Trump’s tax returns. The leak led to the conviction and imprisonment of a former IRS contractor.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Leon questioned why the Justice Department had not formally rescinded the order establishing the fund if officials intended to abandon it. Government attorney Andrew Block responded that he did not know why such action had not been taken.
“This whole case is highly unusual, to say the least,”Leon remarked.
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