By Paul Goldberg – Senior Correspondent | LGBT Politics USA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — (September 12, 2026) — The Justice Department is appealing the federal court decision that struck down the legal foundation for President Donald Trump’s controversial $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund — despite Attorney General Todd Blanche previously testifying under oath before Congress that the fund was “dead” and formally rescinding it weeks later.




In a brief filing Friday, DOJ notified a Miami federal court that it is appealing U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams’ July 13 decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Williams had rejected the unusual settlement stemming from Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS, which included plans for the government to establish a roughly $1.776 billion fund for people claiming they had suffered government “weaponization” or “lawfare.”

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Blanche Told Congress the Fund Was Dead

The appeal immediately puts renewed attention on assurances Blanche gave Congress while seeking confirmation as attorney general.

During his July 15 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Blanche told lawmakers under oath: “The weaponization fund is dead. It’s not moving forward.”

Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina had withheld their support for Blanche’s nomination while demanding written confirmation that DOJ would abandon the fund. Blanche subsequently issued a formal order rescinding it on August 2, after which both senators announced they would support advancing his nomination.

DOJ’s rescission stated that no members had been appointed to administer the fund, no money had been transferred, no claims process had been established and no claims had been paid.




Appeal Reopens Fight Over Trump-IRS Settlement

The fund originated in the settlement of Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit over the disclosure of his tax records. Under the agreement, the proposed fund would have provided a process for people alleging government weaponization to seek monetary relief.

Critics from both parties objected to the arrangement, particularly over the possibility that taxpayer money could eventually reach Trump political allies or defendants connected to the January 6 Capitol attack. Supporters characterized the proposal as a way to compensate people they believe were unfairly targeted by federal authorities.




DOJ’s appeal does not by itself mean the department has recreated the fund, which remains formally rescinded. But it ensures that the legal fight over the Trump-IRS settlement that originally created it is far from over.

For Blanche, it also guarantees renewed scrutiny of the pledge he made to Congress before becoming attorney general: the Anti-Weaponization Fund was dead.

Review the Appeal filed by the Department of Justice.

Stay with JRL CHARTS LGBT Politics USA as we track the DOJ Anti-Weaponization Fund controversy, federal court battles and the Trump administration policies shaping Washington.




Paul Goldberg
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