SouthernWorldwide.com – A U.S. judge has issued a temporary injunction, preventing the Justice Department from taking any further steps concerning the establishment or operation of a nearly $2 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund.”
This fund, announced by the Trump administration last week, is intended to provide compensation on a case-by-case basis to Americans who have been unfairly targeted by what are alleged to be politicized federal investigations.
The order, issued by U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, stems from a lawsuit filed by a group of plaintiffs. Among them is a former career prosecutor who claims he was terminated due to his handling of cases related to the January 6th events. These plaintiffs are seeking to block any disbursements from the fund.
The court’s order explicitly names the Justice Department as the defendant. It prohibits the department from taking any action related to the creation or operation of the Anti-Weaponization Fund. This includes transferring money into the fund, considering any claims submitted to it, and disbursing any funds from it.
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The plaintiffs challenging the fund include Andrew Floyd, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and Alexandria resident. Floyd prosecuted Capitol riot cases in Washington, D.C., before his dismissal last year by then-Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Floyd served as deputy chief of the Justice Department’s Capitol Siege Section. He has expressed his belief that his termination was an act of retaliation for his involvement in January 6th-related work, according to reports from The Associated Press.
Another plaintiff is Jonathan Caravello, a professor at California State University Channel Islands. Caravello was previously acquitted of an assault charge. He had been accused of throwing a tear gas canister at federal agents during a 2025 protest against an immigration raid at a cannabis farm in Camarillo, California.
Also listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit are the government watchdog organization Common Cause, the city of New Haven, Connecticut, and the National Abortion Federation, which represents abortion providers.
The city of New Haven asserts that Trump administration officials have specifically targeted it and other municipalities perceived as “sanctuary” cities. The National Abortion Federation has voiced concerns that the fund could issue payments to individuals who have attacked abortion clinics, potentially encouraging further violence against its members, as also reported by the AP.
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The Anti-Weaponization Fund originated from a settlement reached between President Donald Trump and the Internal Revenue Service. President Trump had initiated a lawsuit against the IRS in January, alleging the unauthorized disclosure of his tax records.
According to a Justice Department press release, claims submitted to the fund will be evaluated by a five-person board. This board will be appointed by the Attorney General, with at least one member chosen in consultation with congressional leadership. The press release also noted that the president retains the authority to remove any board member at any time without cause.
“This is about seeking accountability for all Americans who were victims of law fare and weaponization: millions of Americans whose online speech was censored at the behest of the government, parents silenced at school boards, Senators whose records were secretly subpoenaed, churchgoers targeted by the FBI, and so on,” stated a document from the Justice Department.
The Anti-Weaponization Fund was scheduled to remain active until December 1, 2028.
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The funding for the Anti-Weaponization Fund is being drawn from the Judgment Fund. This is a standing Treasury account specifically designated for covering settlements and claims made against the U.S. government.
