The Trump administration’s Justice Department is stopping work on a planned nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, according to multiple reports. CBS and PBS report the department is backing off its $1.776 billion proposal after expressing that the plan is not going forward. The department’s position is also reflected in court filings described by CBS: DOJ lawyers state the fund has not been set up and will not continue.
The change follows legal and political challenges. A federal judge in Washington previously declined to move forward with an action concerning the fund, warning that the dispute could become moot in light of U.S. assurances that the plan will not proceed. Other outlets report that separate lawsuits continue to challenge the administration’s attempt to end or roll back the fund.
In parallel, PBS reports Congress played a role: Acting Attorney General Blanche tells lawmakers the DOJ is scrapping the plan after Republican senators indicated they lacked votes for a Homeland Security funding bill unless the White House scaled back or eliminated the fund. Overall, the reported decision reflects a combination of DOJ statements to courts, judicial scrutiny, and congressional pressure.
