A federal court has frozen President Donald Trump's $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, with the Justice Department confirming on Monday, 2 June that it would comply with the order despite 'strongly' disagreeing with the ruling. Simultaneously, Senate Democrats introduced legislation to permanently dismantle the programme, deepening a constitutional and political confrontation over the use of taxpayer funds.

The Court Order and DOJ Response

US District Judge Leonie Brinkema of the Eastern District of Virginia temporarily barred the administration from taking any further action related to the fund while a legal challenge proceeds. The court directed the government not to transfer money to the fund, consider claims, or disburse payments pending a 12 June hearing.

In a statement posted on X, the Department of Justice said the fund had been created 'to make up for the tremendous abuse, harm, and hate unfairly shown to so many people' and was open to anyone 'who was so weaponized, targeted, or persecuted, whether they were Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Independent, or otherwise.' The department added: 'The Department will abide by the Court's ruling.'

Senate Democrats Launch Legislative Counterattack

Senators Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, Adam Schiff of California, and Mark Kelly of Arizona introduced the Drain the Slush Fund Act, which seeks to dismantle the fund and prohibit taxpayer money from being used for payments to the President, his associates, convicted criminals, or individuals involved in the 6 January 2021 Capitol attack.

'This so-called $1.7 billion anti-weaponization fund is an unprecedented misuse of taxpayer money, and it must be stopped,' Slotkin said. Schiff described the initiative as 'one of the most brazenly corrupt schemes we've ever seen from a U.S. President.' Kelly accused the administration of using public funds to benefit political allies, calling it 'a $1.7 billion theft in broad daylight.'

What the Legislation Proposes

The proposed bill would impose new restrictions on the Justice Department's Settlement Fund by prohibiting settlements or payments arising from claims or lawsuits brought by a sitting President or Vice President. It would also bar payments to individuals convicted in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot.

Separately, Senator Alex Padilla and other Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee called on the Justice Department's Inspector General to launch an immediate investigation into what they described as 'waste, fraud, and abuse of an unprecedented magnitude.'

Background and Controversy

The fund originated from a Justice Department settlement announced last month in connection with Trump's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. The administration positioned it as compensation for individuals unfairly targeted by government actions. Critics — including Democrats and reportedly some Republicans — have questioned whether the programme could benefit Trump's political supporters, including those convicted over the January 6 Capitol riot.

This comes amid broader scrutiny of the administration's use of executive resources, with critics pointing to a pattern of blurring lines between public funds and political interests. The legal battle is expected to continue in federal court later this month.