politics
Judge orders Trump to answer questions about whether settlement that created "anti-weaponization fund" was "fraud"
Updated on: May 29, 2026 / 7:11 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- A federal judge may reopen a legal case involving President Trump and his government related to a $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization fund."
- The judge ordered Trump's lawyers to respond to allegations of "deception" and "fraud" raised by retired federal judges.
- Retired judges claim the lawsuit was "collusive from the start" and filed to legitimize an "unlawful settlement."
- The Justice Department had agreed to set up the fund to compensate alleged victims of government "weaponization" after Trump sued the IRS.
- Democrats have criticized the fund as a "slush fund," while the Justice Department defends it as apolitical.
- The judge has the power to investigate "serious misconduct" and impose sanctions if necessary.