A federal judge imposed a temporary halt to the Trump Justice Department plans for an almost $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund,” which already has stirred bipartisan opposition over the prospect it will mean compensation to those who violently stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema wrote that the Justice Department was prohibited from “taking any further action pursuant to the creation or operation of the Anti-Weaponization Fund, which includes the transferring of money to the Fund; the consideration of claims submitted to the Fund; and the disbursing of any funds from the Fund.”

After the fund was announced, former federal prosecutor Andrew Floyd, who led a task force on January 6th cases, filed a lawsuit against the DOJ along with other plaintiffs. They argued that the fund “incentivizes unlawful behavior and facilitates and astounding abuse of taxpayer funds.” The plaintiffs also claim that the fund lacked transparency requirements, and that it was unconstitutional.

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Brinkema gave the DOJ until June 5 to file opposition to the plaintiffs’ motion for a temporary restraining order, and until June 10 to reply. A hearing is scheduled for June 12.

Last week, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced sharp criticism over the fund in a meeting with Republican senators. Democrats have hammered Trump for the creation of the fund, which they characterize as a “slush fund” to reward the president’s supporters. At a press conference last week, Vice President JD Vance declined to expressly guarantee that those convicted of attacking police officers on January 6th would not be entitled to money from the fund.

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