Michael Cohen’s Bid for DOJ’s Anti-Weaponization Fund

Michael Cohen, once a lawyer for Donald Trump turned vocal critic, intends to seek financial aid from the Justice Department’s new “anti-weaponization fund.” This fund, valued at $1.776 billion, offers compensation to individuals who claim to have been targeted by the legal system.

Cohen told CBS News, “I am working through the process on my own and will submit the letter directly to the DOJ once completed.” The fund emerged from a settlement between Trump and the DOJ following a lawsuit over the leaking of Trump’s tax returns.

Cohen asserts, “The issues that prompted Trump to sue are identical to what happened to me.” He referenced the $10 billion lawsuit Trump filed as similar to his experiences, stating these issues cost him his law license, businesses, personal happiness, and business relationships.

In a draft of his application letter, Cohen argued, “If the weaponization fund supports those harmed by politically motivated law enforcement, selective prosecution, government leaks, and intentional reputation destruction, then there is no clearer example than my case.” He considers himself a “test case” for the fund.

Previously a trusted adviser of Trump, Cohen served three years in prison following a guilty plea for campaign finance violations. His charges arose from payments to women who claimed affairs with Trump. Cohen also faced charges for lying to Congress about a Trump Tower project in Moscow.

At sentencing, Cohen remarked that blind loyalty to Trump pushed him “toward darkness instead of light.” In 2024, Cohen testified in a New York state case against Trump, leading to Trump’s conviction for falsifying business records related to the payments.

Cohen’s legal struggles include a 2020 lawsuit against the government and Trump. He claimed retaliation when he was removed from home confinement during the COVID era. The suit was dismissed by a judge.

He stands among the first known applicants for the fund intended for Trump critics. The DOJ emphasized the application has “no partisan requirements,” with a panel appointed by the attorney general assessing applications.

Interest in the fund extends beyond Cohen. Trump’s former adviser Michael Caputo requested $2.7 million, and Jan. 6 riot defendants consider applying. While criticized by ethics groups and officials, the DOJ defends the fund as a remedy for “years of weaponization,” drawing parallels to other government settlement funds.