Justice Department Creates $1.78 Billion Fund for Alleged Political Prosecutions

The U.S. Department of Justice announced on May 20, 2026, the creation of a $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund to compensate individuals who claim they were targeted for prosecution for political reasons. The fund was established as part of a settlement in which President Trump dropped his $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service.

The suit alleged that leaks of his tax returns caused reputational and financial harm.

General Todd Blanche stated that the fund provides a process for those who believe they were subjected to lawfare to seek redress. A five-person board appointed by the attorney general will oversee the program, and the president will have authority to remove board members.

The fund will issue formal apologies and monetary payments to approved claimants. Processing of claims will end no later than December 1, 2028, according to a DOJ press release.

Florida federal judge Kathleen Williams dismissed the underlying lawsuit after the settlement was announced. She had previously questioned whether the parties were sufficiently adverse to meet Article III requirements. Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin argued that payments to individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol events could violate Section 4 of the 14th Amendment.

Conservative lawyer Ed Whelan stated that the arrangement presents a conflict of interest because the president is involved on both sides of the claim. Blanche testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 19, 2026, that the fund is open to applicants regardless of political affiliation and that all payments will be publicly disclosed.