A US federal judge has blocked a $1.8bn fund intended to counter foreign election interference, delivering a legal setback to the Trump administration. The ruling, issued late Wednesday, prohibits the disbursement of funds allocated to the so-called “anti-weaponisation” programme until a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality is resolved.
The case, brought by conservative legal groups, argues that the programme exceeds executive authority and infringes on First Amendment rights. The Treasury Department has announced it will comply with the order, pending an appeal. The decision comes as the UK government monitors the developments closely, with Whitehall sources expressing concern over the implications for joint intelligence-sharing arrangements.
The fund, established through executive order last year, was designed to counter foreign disinformation campaigns. Critics, however, contend it could be weaponised against domestic political opponents. The ruling underscores the deepening legal and political battles over election security measures as the 2024 campaign season intensifies.
