Michael Cohen Applies for DOJ’s Anti-Weaponization Fund
Michael Cohen, a former lawyer for Donald Trump, intends to seek financial relief from the Justice Department’s new “anti-weaponization fund.” This fund, valued at $1.776 billion, offers compensation to those who claim the legal system targeted them unfairly. Cohen announced his decision to CBS News, stating his plans to submit an application directly to the DOJ.
The fund emerged as part of a settlement between President Trump and the Justice Department. This settlement addressed a lawsuit involving Trump’s allegations against the Internal Revenue Service over leaked tax returns. Cohen believes the grievances Trump cited in his lawsuit mirror those he experienced.
The basis for which Trump instituted the $10 billion action are the same causes of action that have affected me as well—has cost me my law license, my businesses, finances, family happiness, business relationships, and opportunities,
Cohen said in an interview with CBS News, reiterating points from the draft letter of his application. He asserts that the fund should aid victims like him, who faced politically motivated legal actions, selective prosecution, and reputational damage.
Cohen’s history with Trump transitioned from ally to critic. He served as a close legal adviser before Trump’s presidency. Cohen eventually received a three-year prison sentence in 2018 after pleading guilty to campaign finance violations related to payments made to women claiming affairs with Trump. These charges also included lying to Congress about a planned Trump Tower Moscow project.
In 2024, Cohen testified in a New York state case, contributing to Trump’s conviction for falsifying business records tied to the same payments. Trump has consistently denied both the affairs and accusations of wrongdoing.
Cohen’s application to the fund is not his first attempt to address perceived government mistreatment. He previously sued the federal government and Trump in 2020, alleging retaliation for his criticism after being taken off COVID-era home confinement. The court dismissed the lawsuit.
The Justice Department has emphasized the fund’s non-partisan nature, stating that a panel appointed by the attorney general will determine eligibility for relief. Other potential applicants include Trump supporters like Michael Caputo and some Jan. 6 defendants. The fund has sparked criticism, including from ethics watchdogs, who view the fund as controversial. Despite this, the DOJ defends its creation as a remedy for systemic issues within the legal system.