U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema questioned the Justice Department's argument that a lawsuit challenging the $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund is moot, saying the underlying issues remain unresolved despite Attorney General Todd Blanche's formal termination of the plan. Brinkema did not rule Friday on the government's dismissal request and said public statements by President Donald Trump and other officials had undercut assurances that the fund would not proceed. The administration created the proposed settlement fund to resolve Trump's lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns, prompting bipartisan opposition over potential payments to his political allies. Democracy Forward sued in May to halt the fund and payouts, and Brinkema extended a block on its implementation in June. The Justice Department says the plaintiffs cannot challenge a fund that never existed and will not exist, while the plaintiffs argue the administration could revive the plan or establish a replacement if the order is lifted.