# Judge skeptical Trump fund for allies is truly dead

> A federal judge questions whether the Justice Department will really stop compensating Trump allies prosecuted under Biden, despite repeated denials.
- Title: Judge skeptical Trump fund for allies is truly dead · ABC News
- Summary: A federal judge questions whether the Justice Department will really stop compensating Trump allies prosecuted under Biden, despite repeated denials. A judge…
- Keywords: anti-weaponization fund, justice department, trump administration, judge leonie brinkema, attorney general todd blanche, lawsuit, settlement payments, political prosecution, january 6, face act, news, Judge
- Source: ABC News — https://abcnews.com/US/judge-questions-anti-weaponization-fund-dead/story?id=136562369
- Author: ABC News
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: anti-weaponization fund, justice department, trump administration, judge leonie brinkema, attorney general todd blanche, lawsuit, settlement payments, political prosecution, january 6, face act, news
## Judge doubts fund is really gone
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema said Friday she remains skeptical the Trump administration won't compensate allies prosecuted under Biden, despite the Justice Department's repeated claims the $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund is dead.

> Unfortunately there's been too much talk from members of the administration.
## Fund targeted Trump's political allies
The Anti-Weaponization Fund would have compensated people like anti-abortion protesters convicted under the FACE Act and Capitol rioters from January 6, 2021, who the Trump administration views as victims of government persecution.
## Judge cites problematic IRS settlement
Brinkema pointed to a Florida judge's ruling that accused the Justice Department of collusive behavior with Trump's lawyers in an IRS lawsuit settlement that also immunized Trump and his family from future tax audits.
## AG insists fund is dead
Attorney General Todd Blanche testified under oath that the Anti-Weaponization Fund no longer exists and he rescinded the order that established it, saying it does not exist.

> I have testified under oath that it's dead.
## Judge proposes independent monitor
Brinkema suggested appointing an independent monitor to oversee payments from the Justice Department's Judgment Fund, which is typically used to distribute legal settlements with limited transparency requirements.
## Real concern is political money
Brinkema said the core issue is whether taxpayer money will be used to promote political viewpoints, even if the formal Anti-Weaponization Fund is gone and replaced with a functional equivalent.

> The real concern that I think lurks is this concept of taxpayer money being used to promote political viewpoints.
## Lawsuit seeks permanent block
The lawsuit filed in May by multiple plaintiffs seeks to permanently block any compensation scheme for Trump allies, arguing they could face potential harm if settlement payments are distributed.
## Key takeaway

A judge overseeing a lawsuit remains unconvinced that the Trump administration won't find ways to compensate political allies through settlement payments, even if the formal Anti-Weaponization Fund is officially closed.