Judge Brinkema Keeps $1.776 Billion Trump Fund Case Alive as DOJ Pushes Dismissal
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 18
Judge Brinkema Keeps $1.776 Billion Trump Fund Case Alive as DOJ Pushes Dismissal
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 18
Summary
Leonie Brinkema signaled Friday that the lawsuit over the Trump administration’s rescinded $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund will continue, saying the underlying issues are still “alive and kicking.”
DOJ lawyers sought dismissal after Attorney General Todd Blanche formally rescinded the fund on Aug. 2 and repeatedly testified it is dead, but Brinkema questioned whether a “functional equivalent” still exists through the Treasury Judgment Fund.
Paul Vaughn’s case sharpened that concern: the Tennessee anti-abortion activist, convicted in 2024 and later pardoned, said he received a seven-figure DOJ payout from the Judgment Fund after the FBI raided his home.
Brinkema called the Judgment Fund less transparent, floated possible remedies including neutral oversight of any compensation mechanism, and said administration statements had undercut DOJ’s position.
The judge ended the Alexandria hearing by saying she will issue a new discovery order in coming days, indicating the challenge is far from over.