# Judge says Trump administration anti-weaponization case 'alive and kicking'

> Judge blocks Trump's $1.776B anti-weaponization fund despite DOJ claims.
- Title: Judge says Trump administration anti-weaponization case…
- Summary: Judge blocks Trump's $1.776B anti-weaponization fund despite DOJ claims. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema says issues in Trump administration's…
- Keywords: u.s. district court, leone brinkema, anti-weaponization fund, doj, attorney general todd blanche, face act, judgment fund, paul vaughn, tennessee, fbi, federal court, taxpayer money
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/politics/judge-says-issues-trump-administration-anti-weaponization-case-alive-kicking-despite-doj-push
- Author: Jake Gibson
- Published: 2026-09-18T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: u.s. district court, leone brinkema, anti-weaponization fund, doj, attorney general todd blanche, face act, judgment fund, paul vaughn, tennessee, fbi, federal court, taxpayer money
## Judge questions anti-weaponization fund status
U.S. District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema said the issues in Trump administration's $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund case remain 'alive and kicking' despite DOJ claims the fund is dead.

> The issues that underlie this case are still alive and kicking in my view
## DOJ argues fund terminated in August
DOJ lawyers asked Judge Brinkema to dismiss the case, claiming Attorney General Todd Blanche formally terminated the fund in August 2024 under oath.

> Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a formal recission order in August
## Paul Vaughn's case details
Pro-life activist Paul Vaughn, convicted in January 2024 for blocking a Tennessee abortion clinic in March 2021, received a taxpayer-funded payout of seven figures from the DOJ's Judgment Fund.

> Paul Vaughn was convicted in January 2024 for his role in blockading an abortion clinic in Mount Juliet, Tennessee
## Judge identifies fund risks
Brinkema warned that taxpayer money being used to promote political views risks the fund's legitimacy, citing pro-life activists and Jan. 6 insurrection attempts.

> The real concern that lurks ... is the concept of taxpayer money being used to promote particular political views
## Judge proposes oversight solution
Brinkema suggested requiring a neutral third party to oversee a fund, not someone from the DOJ, to ensure impartiality in taxpayer-funded settlements.

> I think there are remedies. A proper, unbiased look ... not someone from the DOJ
## Case remains unresolved
Brinkema will issue a new discovery order soon, confirming the case is far from over despite DOJ's claims the fund is dead.

> I intend to craft a new discovery order in the coming days
## Key takeaway

U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema says issues in Trump administration's anti-weaponization fund case remain unresolved despite DOJ's claims the fund is dead.