The Department of Justice rejected a judge’s ultimatum on the “anti-weaponization fund” and called it a breach of the separation of powers doctrine.

President Donald Trump agreed to drop a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service in exchange for the formation of a $1.8 billion fund to compensate the victims of weaponization of government in previous administrations.

‘Judges do not get to insert themselves into the department’s routine settlement authority.’

In response to a lawsuit over the fund, the government argued that the point was moot after Attorney General Todd Blanche testified to Congress that the fund was dead.

“We are not moving forward with the fund. Period,” Blanche said clearly.

However, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema cited statements from the president supporting the fund and Blanche’s reluctance to provide a written guarantee as evidence that the administration still sought to establish it.

Brinkema then gave the government a week to provide declarations under penalty of perjury from Blanche as well as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. She warned that if they failed to do so, she would allow a lawsuit against the government to proceed.

On Friday, the DOJ responded that the statements were unnecessary and constituted a “serious” violation of the separation of powers among the branches of government.

“It is telling that even after the federal court gave them a week, the acting attorney general and other senior administration officials continue to refuse to say under oath that the Slush Fund is dead and won’t operate in the future,” Democracy Forward president and CEO Skye Perryman said.

The organization is representing the plaintiffs, a coalition that includes a former federal prosecutor and two nonprofits.

“Nor have they provided any information under oath about their compliance with the court’s prior directives,” Perryman added.

A spokesperson for the DOJ told the Washington Examiner that the judge was improperly inserting herself into the lawsuit settlement.

RELATED: Senate Republicans defeat standoff to pass BILLIONS in ICE funding — Democrats implode with outrage

“The DOJ has already twice filed in court that the fund isn’t moving ahead, coupled with Blanche’s repeated testimony before Congress that the fund isn’t moving forward,” the spokesperson said.

“In essence, the judge’s demand for declarations was an attempt to require her to personally sign-off on any and all future settlements, separate and apart from the Fund, that the department may make,” the spokesperson added. “Judges do not get to insert themselves into the department’s routine settlement authority.”

Democrats and some Republicans have voiced opposition to the fund based on the critique that it would be a slush fund to reward the president’s supporters and allies.

Brinkema was nominated to the bench by former President Bill Clinton in 1993.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Anti-weaponization fund, Department of justice, Lawsuit settlement, President donald trump, Separation of powers, Politics 

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a preliminary injunction Friday against a California law that allowed children to hide their transgender status from their parents.

The law required teachers and others to withhold information from parents related to their children identifying as transgender or asking to be called by a different name.

‘The Constitution is clear — parents have the right to know what is happening with their children and make decisions regarding their mental health, and no state law can override that fundamental protection.’

The three-judge panel initially rejected the lawsuit from residents of Huntington Beach but relented after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a similar case on the side of parental rights.

The appeals court recognized that the law would likely violate parents’ First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.

America First Legal, the organization that represents the parents, called the ruling a major victory in a statement on its website.

“California cannot use state law to force schoolteachers and administrators into a conspiracy of silence against parents,” AFL senior counsel Nick Barry said. “California’s law, and similar school policies, use state coercion to intentionally interfere with the parent-child relationship and separate a child from their parent. That is wrong and unlawful.”

AFL added that the state of California “sought to prevent parents from obtaining information about ‘gender transitions’ of their own children without the child’s consent.”

Proponents of these types of laws say they are necessary to protect children who may have feelings that would lead them to identify as transgender from parents who may oppose their wishes. Critics say cutting out parents puts children at risk of grooming and abuse by far-left teachers and other school officials.

RELATED: Supreme Court sides with Catholic parents against California on student gender notification — for now

“The Constitution is clear — parents have the right to know what is happening with their children and make decisions regarding their mental health, and no state law can override that fundamental protection,” Barry continued.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has not commented on the ruling yet.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Attorney general rob bonta, California law, Ninth circuit court, Parental rights, Student gender notification, Politics 

Tennessee residents of the city of Millersville were shocked to find out that their longtime city commissioner was arrested for numerous child sex allegations over four decades.

The Sumner County Sheriff’s Office said it took 76-year-old David Winston Gregory into custody on Wednesday at his home.

‘These allegations are serious. … There is no place in our society for actions like what is being alleged.’

The indictment claimed Gregory committed the crimes between 1987 and 2026, which included at least three instances of sexual abuse on a child that included three or more children. It further alleged that three of the instances constituted “the offense of aggravated sexual battery.”

He is being held at the Sumner County Jail on a $750,000 bond. Online records list two charges: continuous sexual abuse of a child and aggravated sexual battery.

Other local officials were stunned by the allegations.

“As a government official where the alleged events occurred, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this case,” Millersville Mayor Lincoln Atwood said. “I have full confidence in those investigating these events. I also have full faith in our judicial system. No one is above the law.”

“These allegations are serious. My prayers are with all potential victims,” Vice Mayor Dustin Darnall said.

“I will remain committed to supporting all victims, especially victims of sexual abuse. There is no place in our society for actions like what is being alleged,” he added.

Gregory served as a city commissioner for 14 years. His current term expires in 2026.

RELATED: Gay couple arrested on child sex abuse allegations — and they have 5 young sons

Michael Shaw, a resident of the city, said the allegations were “disgusting” in comments to WKRN-TV.

“We can’t have that kind of stuff,” he said. “We got to have leaders that are actually leaders. We got to have people that don’t get like that.”

Gregory made headlines when he demanded that the town’s assistant police chief, Shawn Taylor, apologize for spreading conspiracy theories alleging that police staged the Covenant School shooting in Nashville.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Child sex abuse, Child sex allegations, Conspiracy theories, Government official, Sexual abuse, Tennessee, Crime 

The federal government is getting into comedy; whether that will be supported by the taxpayer remains to be seen.

Government-funded educational videos are stepping into the modern era, tapping versatile actor Chris Pratt to head up a new project.

‘Intended to engage international audiences with America’s constitutional values.’

Birthday boy

The combined effort between the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Public Diplomacy and Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will have the “Guardians of the Galaxy” actor star in a series of comedy shorts for the birthday of the United States.

According to Variety, the America 250 videos will follow Pratt as he hopes to share his passion for American history but realizes he isn’t as knowledgeable as he thought he was.

Pratt will get help from historian and Pulitzer Prize winner Doris Kearns Goodwin, who will keep him on track and correct his historical knowledge.

RELATED: Amanda Seyfried: It was ‘factual’ to call Charlie Kirk ‘hateful’ days after death — why the backlash?

Kym Illman/Getty Images

Showboat diplomacy

The government project, in its entirety, is intended to “inform and engage foreign publics about America through international media engagement, educational and cultural exchange programs, digital communications, and outreach conducted through U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide,” an announcement stated.

The series was actually designed as a “public diplomacy initiative intended to engage international audiences with America’s constitutional values and history through modern digital storytelling,” the producers reportedly said.

These producers are from digital media company ATTN: — out of Los Angeles — and said they are “always looking for new ways to make important topics accessible to broader audiences.”

ATTN: co-founder and CEO Matthew Segal said America 250 offers a “unique diplomacy opportunity to reintroduce the stories, principles, and people that shaped the nation.”

RELATED: Girl Scouts camp: Hiking, archery, and ‘Pride’ indoctrination

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The HISTORY Channel

‘Unhappy’ coincidence

The series may have a different mission, but it isn’t the only America 250-themed comedy sketch series making noise. “Seinfeld” creator Larry David’s “Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness” is set for release on HBO at the end of June.

The series stars David, along with guest stars like Jerry Seinfeld and Vince Vaughn, in a stream of outlandish bits centered around American history.

Essentially, David acts as his typical misunderstood and outraged self in different historical settings. Fans can look forward to seeing him get annoyed about the first-ever flight or criticizing the photo of a soldier’s wife during trench warfare in WWI.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Lifestyle, News, Comedy, Larry david, Chris pratt, America 250, Entertainment 

Marine Corps. veteran Major James Capers Jr. recently received the Medal of Honor, leaving audiences in awe of his story of perseverance and tragedy.

Capers accepted the award from President Donald Trump on Thursday, but it was his powerful pro-America message on Friday that garnered a thunderous reaction.

‘Lost a lot of good men in battlefields. I fought two wars and suffered 19 bullet holes.’

‘I’ve said enough’

Capers is a combat veteran who participated in 64 long-range reconnaissance patrols and five major campaigns in Vietnam, according to his biography. Missions included POW rescue missions ordered by the president and the recovery of a B-57 that allegedly had a nuclear bomb.

On Friday, Capers was inducted into the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Upon taking the podium, Capers kept his remarks short but powerful.

“I have no words,” the 89-year-old began. “But your applause reminds me of some dark days, of some brave men who are not here today. So I’ll speak for them.”

“This is the greatest country in the world,” Capers declared. “I fought for that flag; I believed in it.”

“I’ve said enough,” Capers said after just under a minute in front of the room.

RELATED: JD Vance shuts down the ladies of ‘The View’ with simple facts

‘Lost a lot of good men’

Capers and President Trump shared some proud moments together at the White House on Thursday, with Trump linking arms with the veteran to help him stand during the ceremony. Trump was also seen holding hands with the South Carolina native as they spoke to each other on stage.

However, on “Fox & Friends” on Friday morning, Major Capers made sure there wasn’t a single dry eye watching his interview with host Ainsley Earhardt.

When asked what was going through his mind when he received the medal, Capers’ remarks did not fall short of remarkable.

“It was difficult time for me because I felt a little guilty, because I didn’t really feel like I deserved it with all of the men and women that served, and I get to do something like this.”

Capers did say it was “a wonderful day” that he was honored to take part in, but that he couldn’t help but think of his fallen friends.

“You always think about that; you never turn that loose. Lost a lot of good men in battlefields. I fought two wars and suffered 19 bullet holes, and along the way, out of the battle zones,” Capers recalled. “My son died in my arms of appendicitis, and my wife of 50 years died of cancer. So I had to survive that, on top of losing wonderful special operation Marines in combat.”

“So there’s no real satisfaction in getting a medal when I’ve lost so much,” he added.

RELATED: Ronald Reagan’s 1984 Memorial Day speech observing interment of unknown Vietnam service member ‘healed scars,’ writer says

Honor and gratitude

Earhardt, clearly fighting back emotions, asked how the man got through so much tragedy. Capers responded by saying it was his military duty, and that’s what the “unit” is supposed to do.

“When one falls, somebody else has to replace that person who fell,” Capers explained. “So I feel honored to have the support that I find today. Honored. And I give gratitude to the ones who made this happen. Can’t say I’m happy to be here, because this award belongs to a lot of young men who followed me and died in battlefields around this world for a country that we honor this flag. I appreciate that.”

Capers’ closing words of encouragement were simply to “honor that flag.”

“When one man falls, then another one picks up that rifle and drives toward the enemy, and that enemy must be defeated. That is an old adage that we use, and it has been successful for 250 years.”

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​News, Vietnam, James capers, Medal of honor, Lifestyle