Michael Cohen, previously a lawyer for Donald Trump, now intends to apply for the Justice Department’s new $1.776 billion ‘anti-weaponization fund.’ Cohen informed CBS News of his plans on Thursday, stating, ‘I am working through the process on my own and will submit the letter directly to the DOJ once completed.’
The fund was introduced as part of a settlement between President Trump and the Justice Department. This settlement resolved a lawsuit stemming from the leak of Trump’s tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service. The fund offers financial support to those claiming the legal system was used against them unfairly.
Cohen believes his situation mirrors the issues for which Trump sued the government. ‘The basis for which Trump instituted the $10 billion action are the same causes of action that have affected me,’ Cohen expressed. He cites losses including his law license and business opportunities.
Cohen is drafting a letter to seek relief. Part of this letter obtained by CBS News states, ‘If the weaponization fund truly exists to support individuals destroyed by politically motivated law enforcement tactics, selective prosecution, government leaks, abuses of power and intentional destruction of reputation, then there is perhaps no clearer example than what happened to me.’
Many figures, including Trump allies and some Jan. 6 riot defendants, have shown interest in the fund. Former Trump adviser Michael Caputo has already applied for $2.7 million. The fund has faced criticism from both sides of the political spectrum, with ethics groups labeling it as an act of self-dealing by Trump’s administration.
The Justice Department defended the fund, comparing it to other governmental settlement funds. They argue it aims to correct what they describe as ‘years and years of weaponization.’
Cohen, once known as Trump’s ‘fixer,’ was sentenced to three years in prison for campaign finance violations connected to payments he arranged for women alleging affairs with Trump. He also faced two additional months for lying to Congress about a proposed Trump Tower Moscow project. His loyalty to Trump was cited during his sentencing. Cohen reflected, ‘My weakness can be characterized as a blind loyalty to Donald Trump.’
In 2024, Cohen provided key testimony in a New York criminal case against Trump, who was convicted of falsifying business records. Trump has consistently denied any criminal behavior or affairs with the women involved.
Besides his recent application, Cohen previously pursued relief for government mistreatment. In 2020, he sued the government, alleging he was unjustly returned to prison after a period of home confinement. However, the lawsuit was dismissed based on prior legal precedents.
The Justice Department has made clear that applications are non-partisan. A five-member panel, appointed by the attorney general, will decide the allocation of relief funds.
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