Judge Rejects DOJ Assurance ‘Weaponization’ Fund Is Defunct (1)

A federal judge in Virginia will allow a lawsuit to proceed challenging the Trump administration’s plans for a $1.8 billion fund for alleged victims of political “weaponization,” despite assurances from US officials that the plan won’t move forward.

During a hearing on Friday, US District Judge Leonie Brinkema rebuffed the government’s arguments that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s public statements that the plan was dropped were enough confirmation. She entered an order blocking officials from taking action on the fund while the litigation moves ahead.

Brinkema gave the government one week to submit a written, sworn statement signed by ...