U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema said Friday that a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund can proceed. She rejected the Justice Department’s argument that the case became moot when Attorney General Todd Blanche formally terminated the fund on Aug. 2. Brinkema said administration statements and actions suggested the fund’s objectives could still be pursued through other government payment mechanisms [pbs.org][nytimes.com][alternet.org]. The fund stemmed from a Justice Department and Treasury settlement aimed at ending President Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over leaked tax returns. The settlement would have provided compensation to alleged victims of government “weaponization” and included retroactive relief from tax audits and enforcement for Trump, his sons Don Jr. and Eric, and the Trump Organization. The administration said the fund never became operational, while Brinkema said the underlying issues remained unresolved [ncnewsline.com][utahnewsdispatch.com][pbs.org]. Highlights: • Document deadline: Brinkema overruled the government’s objection and ordered the administration to produce documents within 30 days [ncnewsline.com][utahnewsdispatch.com]. • Senate pressure: Blanche issued the termination order after negotiating with two Republican senators whose support for his confirmation depended on having the promise in writing [pbs.org]. • Political opposition: The settlement drew opposition, including from Republicans [ncnewsline.com][utahnewsdispatch.com]. Perspectives: Leonie Brinkema: The judge said the administration’s use of money for Jan. 6 attackers weakened its claim that the lawsuit was moot [alternet.org][pbs.org]. (PBS NewsHour) "The issues that underlie this case are still alive and kicking, in my view." — Leonie Brinkema Sources: • Trump DOJ defense crumbles after federal judge tears apart plot - alternet.org • Judge Who Struck Down Trump’s Compensation Fund Asks: Will Trump Just Pay Allies Another Way? - nytimes.com • Judge isn't swayed by government's claims that plans for an 'anti-weaponization fund' are dead - pbs.org • Judge isn’t swayed by government’s claims that plans for an ‘anti-weaponization fund’ are dead - seattletimes.com • Judge says lawsuit challenging Trump’s anti-weaponization fund ‘still alive and kicking’ - ncnewsline.com • Judge says case challenging Trump’s anti-weaponization fund ‘still alive and kicking’ - utahnewsdispatch.com --- 📰 Story aggregated by Kagi News