Despite U.S. Attorney Todd Blanche's repeated assurances that President Donald Trump's controversial anti-weaponization had been rescinded, the Justice Department on Friday appealed the judge's decision that killed the planned $1.8 billion fund.
"Reserving all rights and waiving nothing, Defendants appear solely for the purpose of noticing their appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit from this Court's July 13, 2026," the DOJ wrote in its brief filing in Miami Federal Court, which was first reported by Politico's Josh Gerstein.
The massive fund sparked intense bipartisan backlash and nearly derailed Blanches' confirmation after Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), said they would refuse to vote for Blanche unless the proposal for the fund was scrapped.
Blanche claimed on Aug. 2 that he had formally rescinded the fund.
"My team and I have met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions," he wrote on X at the time.
"We have enjoyed good faith discussions, and as a result issue the following order and update with regard to the May IRS settlement. The Department always welcomes and appreciates productive engagement with all members of Congress."
The move prompted Cornyn and Tillis to vote for the confirmation of Trump's former personal attorney as US Attorney General.
The anti-weaponization fund stems from a $10 billion lawsuit Trump filed against the Internal Revenue Service.
As part of a settlement in the case, the fund was to be created "to provide a systematic process to hear and redress claims of others who suffered weaponization and lawfare," and "will have the power to issue formal apologies and monetary relief owed to claimants," the DOJ said at the time.
But U.S. District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema hit the brakes on the plan in May when he ordered the Trump administration not to create the massive fund which has been slammed as a slush fund.
The post Justice Department Appeals Decision That Killed Trump's Anti-Weaponization Fund first appeared on Mediaite.