A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to identify the individuals responsible for structuring the nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund,” a controversial initiative that Attorney General Todd Blanche has stated is now “dead.”
Court Order Compels Disclosure
On Friday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Ivan D. Davis of the Eastern District of Virginia issued an order granting part of a motion from plaintiffs to compel discovery from the federal government. A person present in the courtroom when the order was issued confirmed to NBC News that the order includes disclosing the names of the fund’s architects. The New York Times also reported on the details of the judge’s decision.
Aman George, senior counsel at Democracy Forward, a nonprofit organization representing the plaintiffs, welcomed the ruling. “Today’s order granting discovery is a significant step in getting to the bottom of the slush fund,” George said in a statement. “We will continue to meet the government in court until our investigation is complete and the slush fund is permanently halted.”
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday evening.
Background of the Fund
The fund was established as part of a settlement agreement between President Donald Trump, two of his sons, his company, and the Internal Revenue Service. It aimed to set aside roughly $1.8 billion in taxpayer money as payouts for individuals who “suffered weaponization and lawfare”—a provision that could extend to Jan. 6 rioters convicted of violent crimes and later pardoned by Trump.
In May, a federal judge temporarily blocked the fund following a lawsuit filed by a fired Jan. 6 prosecutor and a law professor who had been sued by the Trump administration. Career IRS workers also joined the lawsuit against the Trump-IRS agreement, which made the president and several family members immune from IRS audits.
Bipartisan Criticism and Legal Loophole
The “anti-weaponization” fund drew bipartisan criticism in Washington, putting Blanche’s nomination as attorney general in jeopardy. He later put in writing that the fund “is rescinded” and that “there is no fund.” However, a significant legal loophole emerged: the document signed by Blanche did not include the signatories of the initial agreement, meaning the fund and related IRS immunity could potentially be revived at a later date.
This loophole has persisted as Trump has refused to denounce the fund. At a Cabinet meeting this summer, Trump—who has not ruled out giving payouts to Jan. 6 rioters—said that the fund “is dead, but you know, I wish it weren’t,” and reiterated his belief that “people were horribly treated.”
Recent Developments
This week, Treniss Evans III, a Jan. 6 defendant seeking a $1 million payout from the government, posted a of himself in Blanche’s office. However, a person familiar with the matter said that Evans did not meet with the attorney general. Evans was previously sentenced to 20 days in prison and three years of probation for his participation in storming the Capitol.
