The Department of Justice defied a federal judge’s order by refusing to submit a sworn declaration confirming the end of the Trump-associated anti-weaponization fund. This move came after the court had blocked the $1.776 billion fund indefinitely amid concerns it could benefit Trump allies.
Federal judge Leonie Brinkema had required the DOJ to file a statement by a set deadline, signed by three senior officials responsible for creating the fund: the acting Attorney General, the Treasury Secretary, and the Associate Attorney General. The declaration was to affirm under penalty of perjury that the fund would not proceed. Instead, the DOJ filed a document rejecting the need for such a declaration, citing separation of powers concerns and arguing that previous congressional testimony from the acting Attorney General should suffice.
According to the DOJ filing, compelling senior executive officials to testify in this manner would raise constitutional questions, emphasizing that the acting Attorney General had already publicly stated the fund is “not going forward.” This approach sparked criticism from legal analysts, who characterized the filing as a deliberate challenge to the judge’s authority and courtroom procedures. The judge emphasized the necessity of formal evidence and testimony over out-of-court statements, reinforcing the judiciary’s insistence on documented accountability.