A coalition of President Donald Trump’s critics, including a fired prosecutor and a college professor, sued to block payouts from a new $1.776 billion settlement fund for Trump allies claiming to be victims of a weaponized government. The lawsuit targets the “Anti-Weaponisation Fund”, created to resolve Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns.
The plaintiffs, represented by the legal advocacy group Democracy Forward, are seeking a court order to halt the fund’s implementation and prevent the Trump administration from disbursing any payouts. The federal suit, filed in Alexandria, Virginia, claims there is no legal basis or accountability behind the fund.
Andrew Floyd, a former Assistant US Attorney, is one of the plaintiffs. He was fired last year by then-Attorney General Pam Bondi after prosecuting Capitol riot cases in Washington, DC. Floyd believes his firing was retaliation for his work on the January 6 cases.
Another plaintiff, Jonathan Caravello, a California State University professor, was acquitted of an assault charge related to a protest against an immigration raid. The city of New Haven, Connecticut, and the National Abortion Federation are also named as plaintiffs.
The suit’s defendants include the Justice and Treasury departments, as well as Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Spokespeople for the departments did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Capitol riot investigation was the largest in Justice Department history, with nearly 1,600 people charged with related federal crimes. Over 1,200 were convicted and sentenced before Trump handed out mass pardons and commuted prison sentences.
The beneficiaries of Trump’s clemency included supporters who assaulted officers at the Capitol, as well as far-right extremist group members who were imprisoned for plotting to attack the Capitol. Trump also ordered the dismissal of every pending January 6 criminal case.
A separate lawsuit was filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington to challenge the “slush fund” created by Trump’s “sham settlement”. The group refers to the fund as “a jaw-dropping act of presidential corruption”.
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Two police officers who helped defend the US Capitol from the mob’s attack on January 6, 2021, also sued to prevent anyone, including Capitol rioters, from receiving payments from the settlement fund. During a congressional hearing, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche wouldn’t rule out the possibility that rioters who assaulted police on January 6 could be eligible for fund payouts.
Lawsuits Mount Against Trump Administration
The lawsuits are part of a growing backlash against the Trump administration’s creation of the “Anti-Weaponisation Fund”. The fund has been criticized as a way for Trump to reward his allies and supporters.
The National Abortion Federation fears that the fund will issue payments to people who have attacked abortion clinics, providing an incentive for more violence against its members. The city of New Haven, Connecticut, claims that the Trump administration has targeted it and other municipalities that they perceive to be “sanctuary” cities.
The outcome of the lawsuits is uncertain, but they are likely to be closely watched as they make their way through the courts. The green card holders affected by such policies may also be impacted by the final decision on the fund.
Background on the Anti-Weaponisation Fund
The “Anti-Weaponisation Fund” was created to resolve Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns. The fund has been criticized as a way for Trump to reward his allies and supporters, including those who have been convicted of crimes related to the Capitol riot.
The fund has also been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability. They have not released details on how the fund will be administered or who will be eligible for payouts.
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