Leon Denies Immediate Block of DOJ’s Anti-weaponization Fund Judge Ruling
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon denied an immediate anti-weaponization fund judge ruling request on Wednesday, refusing Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington’s bid for a temporary restraining order against the Justice Department’s nearly $1.8 billion fund. Leon said he was not persuaded there was an issue for the court to decide about creating the fund.
That leaves the Justice Department free from the immediate block CREW sought, after the department told the court it was not moving forward with the fund. Leon is still considering a longer-term request to stop the program.
Leon and CREW in Washington
The hearing lasted about 30 minutes in Washington. Leon told the court, “Don’t play possum with this court!” and later said, “This whole case is highly unusual to say the least.”
Andrew Block, speaking for the government, told Leon, “It can still be an important issue and also not moving forward,” and, “That isn’t a direction to move forward with the fund.” When Leon asked why the government would not just rescind the order that established the fund, Block replied, “I don’t know.”
Todd Blanche’s June 2 testimony
Nikhel Sus said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche had “refused to memorialize that rescission,” even after Blanche testified on June 2 that the administration was “not moving forward” with plans to create the fund. The fund is meant to compensate individuals who allege they have been politically targeted or victimized by the Justice Department.
Leon also asked the government twice why it would not simply rescind the order that created the fund. His ruling turned on the department’s position that it was already not advancing the program, even as CREW argued Blanche’s testimony did not amount to an official cancellation.
Virginia order until Friday
A separate federal judge in Virginia still has an order in place that remains effective until at least Friday. Leon’s ruling did not disturb that order, so the fund remains constrained by the Virginia case while the Washington case continues.
For CREW, the immediate path is narrower now: the temporary restraining order is denied, but Leon is still weighing the longer request, and the DOJ’s own statements remain the central issue in that hearing room.
