Richard Leon

A Clinton-appointed federal judge indefinitely blocked the Trump administration's $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, citing concerns it could be revived. Another judge declined to intervene after the Justice Department said the fund would not proceed, but critics argue its formal termination remains incomplete. Trump expressed support for the fund, while the Justice Department faces pressure to confirm its permanent dismantlement.

A Clinton-appointed federal judge blocked the Trump administration's $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, citing insufficient assurances it would not be revived. Another judge rejected a request to intervene but warned the Justice Department against reviving the program. The fund, created from a Trump-IRS lawsuit settlement, faces criticism as a potential 'slush fund' and has not been formally terminated.

A federal judge extended a block on the Trump administration's $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' until further notice, rejecting the government's claim that lawsuits challenging the fund are moot. The fund, created to resolve a lawsuit over leaked tax returns, faces bipartisan opposition, and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced plans to scrap it, though plaintiffs and judges remain unconvinced.

A federal judge extended a block on the Trump administration's $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund', rejecting the government's claim that lawsuits against it are moot. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the fund's cancellation due to backlash, but Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled the block remains in place until the government provides a sworn declaration it will not revive the fund.

A federal judge extended a block on Trump’s $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, which aims to compensate victims of a weaponized government. The Trump administration plans to scrap the fund due to bipartisan backlash, but plaintiffs argue it is illegal to divert taxpayer money for such payouts.

A federal judge extended a block on the Trump administration's $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' amid legal challenges. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the government would abandon the fund due to backlash, but plaintiffs and Judge Leonie Brinkema rejected assurances it would not proceed. Another judge, Richard Leon, accepted Blanche's claim that the fund is moot.

A federal judge denied a temporary restraining order against President Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund, citing acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s public statements that the plan is 'not moving forward.' Legal group CREW argued Blanche’s verbal rescission lacks written confirmation, while the DOJ maintained no funds have been distributed.

The U.S. and Iran exchanged strikes for a second day, escalating tensions in the Middle East. A Trump family-linked resort project in Albania faces protests over environmental concerns, and a federal judge rejected a bid to block the Trump administration’s $1.8B 'anti-weaponization' fund but warned against further delays.

President Donald Trump's White House ballroom project, which involves expanding the Executive Residence, faces legal challenges requiring congressional approval. The Justice Department argues federal courts cannot halt the project, asserting it serves national security interests, while U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled the project must stop until Congress authorizes it.

A federal judge denied a temporary restraining order on President Donald Trump’s $1.776 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund, citing acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s public statements that the administration is not proceeding with the plan. Legal advocacy group CREW argues Blanche’s verbal rescission of the fund is invalid without written documentation, while the DOJ maintains no funds have been disbursed.

A federal judge rejected a government watchdog’s request to block the Trump administration’s $1.776 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' but warned the administration against obstructing the court. The administration claims it has scrapped the fund, which was created to resolve a lawsuit over leaked tax returns, though legal challenges remain pending.

A federal judge denied a temporary restraining order on President Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund, citing that the issue is moot after Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the administration is not proceeding with the plan. Legal advocacy group CREW argued Blanche’s verbal rescission of the fund lacks written validation, while Trump praised the fund despite Blanche’s reversal.

A federal judge rejected a government watchdog's request to block the Trump administration's $1.776 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund', which aims to compensate victims of a weaponized government. The judge noted the administration's claim to have abandoned the fund but left open a separate request for a preliminary injunction. Another judge temporarily blocked the fund, which is set to expire unless extended.

President Trump's renovation projects in Washington, D.C., including the 'Great Reflecting Pool,' 'Independence Arch,' and 'White House State Ballroom,' have prompted lawsuits from nonprofit organizations such as The Cultural Landscape Foundation, Public Citizen, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Critics argue the projects are wasteful and unnecessary, with legal challenges targeting the U.S. Department of the Interior and National Park Service.

Lawyers for the federal government argued a court cannot halt construction of a White House ballroom due to ongoing work and security concerns. A judge previously ordered a stop to aboveground construction, but the government claims only Congress can block the $400 million project. The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to challenge the project after demolition of the White House East Wing began.

Government lawyers argued a court cannot halt construction of a White House ballroom due to ongoing work and national security concerns, stating only Congress could stop the $400 million project. A judge previously ordered a pause on aboveground construction, but underground work on a bunker and security facilities was allowed to continue.

Government attorneys argue that courts cannot halt construction of a Trump-era White House ballroom due to ongoing work and national security concerns. A federal judge previously ordered a pause on aboveground construction, but the government claims only Congress can block the $400 million project. The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to stop the project after demolition of the White House East Wing began.

President Donald Trump criticizes Judge Richard Leon for blocking the White House ballroom and drone base construction, calling a lawsuit against the project 'ridiculous' and a national security threat. The Justice Department supports the project, urging the court to lift an injunction, while Leon previously ruled Trump lacked authority to build the ballroom without congressional approval.

President Donald Trump criticized U.S. District Judge Richard Leon for blocking construction of a $400 million White House ballroom and rooftop drone base, calling a lawsuit against the project 'ridiculous' and a threat to national security. The Justice Department urged Leon to lift an injunction halting parts of the project, citing recent security threats.

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to return Adriana Maria Quiroz Zapata, a Colombian woman, to the US after she was deported to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The deportation was ruled 'likely illegal' by US district judge Richard Leon. The woman was sent to a country that had refused to accept her.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from enforcing sanctions against Francesa Albanese, a UN human rights investigator. The sanctions were imposed due to Albanese's work on the Israeli military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. The judge found the Trump administration likely violated Albanese's First Amendment rights.

The Justice Department (DOJ) filed a motion asking a federal judge to dissolve restrictions on the White House ballroom, following a weekend shooting at the Washington Hilton. Judge Richard Leon had previously limited the project to 'below-ground construction' amid a lawsuit, rejecting the administration's security claims.

A U.S. judge blocked the Trump administration from proceeding with above-ground construction of a $400 million White House ballroom project, except for actions deemed necessary for national security. The administration challenged the ruling, arguing the project is critical for safety, while the judge criticized the Justice Department's interpretation of security exceptions as 'brazen' and 'disingenuous.' An appeals court temporarily allowed construction to continue pending further clarification.

A U.S. judge ordered the Trump administration to halt construction of the $400 million White House ballroom project, blocking above-ground work unless deemed strictly necessary for national security. The administration appealed the ruling, arguing the project is critical for security, but the judge criticized the Justice Department's interpretation of the security exception as 'incredible, if not disingenuous.'

A federal judge halted above-ground construction of President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom but allowed underground work on national security facilities, including bunkers and medical installations. The decision followed an appeals court’s instruction to reconsider security implications, with the judge emphasizing that only non-security-related construction is paused.