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Todd Blanche, U.S. Deputy Attorney General, sits at a witness table during a congressional hearing, with law books and a microphone visible in the background.

U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche testifies before Congress. The DOJ said it will abide by a court ruling temporarily pausing payouts from President Trump's $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, which was set up to compensate Jan. 6 defendants and other Trump supporters. Photo: PBS NewsHour

Department of Justice Appears to Drop 'Anti-Weaponization' Fund

June 3, 2026

Department of Justice Appears to Drop 'Anti-Weaponization' Fund

President Trump set up a nearly $2 billion fund to pay Jan. 6 defendants and other supporters using taxpayer money. Now a judge has frozen it, and Republicans are pushing back too. Here's what students need to know about this unprecedented legal fight.

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President Trump's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund established by the Department of Justice has hit a setback. The DOJ said Monday they will abide by a court ruling temporarily pausing payouts that could have gone to Jan. 6 defendants and other Trump supporters. This comes amid political pressure from Republicans who are upset about the fund. Liz Landers joins Geoff Bennett to discuss.

View the transcript of the story.

NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?

Key Terms

Department of Justice (DOJ) — the federal agency that oversees law enforcement and that is headed by the attorney general.

Attorney General — the top law enforcement officer in the United States who heads the Department of Justice, which includes agencies such as the FBI, as well as federal prosecutors.

Warm-Up Questions

  1. How much money had the Trump administration put aside to pay supporters?
  2. Who are some of the people who pushed back against the fund?
  3. Why did a judge put a hold on the fund?
  4. What was the reason that the Department of Justice "settled" with President Trump to establish the fund?
  5. Where is language blocking the fund potentially being put unto legislation?

Focus Questions

  • Why do you think President Trump attempted to set up this fund of nearly $2 billion to pay those convicted for crimes on Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol and others? Why do you think this fund was important to him?
  • Why do you think the fund was shut down or at least put on hold?
  • Media literacy: Who are some of the people interviewed for this segment? Why do you think they were chosen to be interviewed?

What Students Can Do

Read the following article about the judge's order to freeze President Trump's settlement fund, then discuss:

  • Why is President Trump's fund "unprecedented" (never been seen or done before), according to the experts in the story?
  • Why do you think some experts are concerned about the fund?
  • Do you think U.S. presidents should have the power to settle personal lawsuits with the Department of Justice that they control? Why or why not?

2026 Election Lesson Plans and Resources

 

Explore our election resources to engage your students in learning about the election process and its significance at every level. Discover lessons on election fundamentals, laws, security, current events, youth involvement, and historic U.S. elections.

Get started here.

Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.

PBS News Hour Classroom
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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