What’s Trump’s ‘anti-weaponisation fund’ and why are legal experts alarmed?

The U.S. Department of Justice has unveiled a new "anti-weaponisation fund," a significant initiative aimed at providing financial redress to those who allege they have been unjustly targeted by federal government actions. This fund emerges from a settlement following a lawsuit initiated by President Donald Trump against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) concerning the leak of his private tax information. The establishment of this fund signals a commitment to rectifying past wrongs and preventing future abuses of governmental power.

The genesis of this fund lies in the 2018-2020 leak of Trump's tax returns to The New York Times, an act for which former IRS contractor Charles Edward Littlejohn was later accused and subsequently sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty. Trump's subsequent $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and Department of the Treasury accused these agencies of failing to safeguard his sensitive financial data. The settlement, announced by the attorney general's office in Washington D.C., directly addresses these grievances and establishes a formal mechanism for accountability.

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The machinery of government should never be weaponized against any American, and it is this Department’s intention to make right the wrongs that were previously done while ensuring this never happens again.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, appointed by Trump, emphasized the principle that "the machinery of government should never be weaponized against any American." He stated the department's intention to "make right the wrongs that were previously done while ensuring this never happens again." The fund is designed to provide a "lawful process for victims of lawfare and weaponization to be heard and seek redress," offering a pathway for individuals who feel aggrieved by federal legal actions to seek compensation.

With an allocation of just under $1.8 billion from a standing government account known as the "judgement fund"—which covers legal settlements and court judgments without needing separate congressional approval—the fund is poised to address a range of claims. Individuals believing they have suffered harm due to unfair federal legal actions can file claims for compensation, which may include cash payments, debt relief, or other forms of redress. The fund will be managed by a five-person panel appointed by the attorney general, with one member chosen in consultation with congressional leaders. It is scheduled to cease accepting new claims on December 1, 2028, ensuring a defined period for its operation and resolution of cases.

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As part of this settlement, we are setting up a lawful process for victims of lawfare and weaponization to be heard and seek redress.