Michael Cohen Anti-Weaponization Fund Claim Sparks Political Buzz

In a development few political watchers saw coming, Michael Cohen, the former personal attorney to President Donald Trump turned vocal critic, has confirmed he intends to apply for compensation from the Justice Department’s newly created anti-weaponization fund. Cohen, who once described himself as the man who would “take a bullet” for Trump and later served prison time tied to his work for him, shared the news with CBS News this week.

A Surprising Move from a Longtime Trump Critic

According to Cohen, he is preparing his formal request without legal assistance. “I am working through the process on my own and will submit the letter directly to the DOJ once completed,” he said in a text message to CBS News. NBC News first broke the story about his plans.

The decision is striking given Cohen’s public history with the president. Once one of Trump’s closest confidants and his self-described “fixer,” Cohen has since become one of the loudest voices criticizing the former boss he once defended fiercely.

What Is the Anti-Weaponization Fund?

The $1.776 billion program was rolled out earlier this week and is designed to offer financial relief to individuals who claim the U.S. legal system was used as a political weapon against them. It emerged from a settlement between President Trump and the Justice Department, resolving a lawsuit Trump had filed against the Internal Revenue Service over the leaking of his tax records.

The Justice Department has emphasized that the fund is not politically restricted. According to officials, there are no partisan conditions for applying, and a five-member panel selected by the attorney general will decide who qualifies for relief.

Why Cohen Believes He Qualifies

Cohen argues that the very reasons Trump cited in his lawsuit against the government mirror what happened to him personally. In his view, both situations involve government overreach and politically driven consequences.

“The basis for which Trump instituted the $10 billion action are the same causes of action that have affected me as well,” Cohen said, pointing to consequences such as:

• The loss of his law license
• Damage to his businesses and finances
• Strained family relationships
• Lost professional opportunities and business connections

A draft of his planned letter, partially obtained by CBS News, reads: “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.”

A Look Back at Cohen’s Legal Troubles

Cohen’s downfall came in 2018, when he was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to campaign finance violations linked to hush-money payments made to women who claimed affairs with Trump. He also received an additional two-month sentence for lying to Congress about a proposed Trump Tower project in Moscow, a charge brought during Robert Mueller’s special counsel investigation.

At his sentencing, Cohen expressed deep regret, saying his devotion to Trump pushed him down “a path of darkness instead of light.” He admitted his “blind loyalty” prevented him from pushing back against demands he should have refused.

Years later, in 2024, Cohen took the witness stand in a New York criminal trial against Trump. The former president was eventually convicted of falsifying business records connected to the same hush-money payments at the center of Cohen’s earlier conviction. Trump has consistently denied both the affairs and any criminal conduct.

During that trial, Cohen testified that Trump was kept informed about efforts to suppress damaging stories during the 2016 campaign and personally approved schemes to disguise the related financial records.

Not Cohen’s First Attempt at Legal Redress

This isn’t the first time Cohen has sought accountability from the federal government. About five years ago, he filed a lawsuit against Trump and federal authorities, alleging he was pulled from a COVID-era home confinement program in 2020 and sent back to prison as retaliation for criticizing the president. A judge ultimately dismissed the case, citing existing legal precedents.

Who Else Might Apply for the Fund?

Cohen stands out as one of the earliest known Trump critics to publicly express interest in the fund. Most others showing interest so far are Trump allies. Former Trump adviser Michael Caputo became the first publicly known applicant, reportedly requesting $2.7 million earlier in the week.

Some defendants tied to the January 6 Capitol riot have also hinted they may pursue claims, broadening the potential pool of applicants beyond what many expected.

Controversy Surrounding the Fund

The anti-weaponization fund has faced backlash from across the political spectrum. Lawmakers from both major parties, along with ethics watchdog groups, have raised concerns about its design and intent. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a progressive watchdog organization, went as far as labeling it “the most brazen act of self-dealing in the history of the presidency.”

The Justice Department, however, has stood by the program. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche compared it to other government-administered settlement funds, arguing that it is meant to address what he described as “years and years of weaponization” of the legal system.

Final Thoughts

Whether or not Cohen’s request is approved, his application underscores just how unpredictable and politically charged the rollout of the anti-weaponization fund has become. With critics and allies of Trump alike showing interest, the program is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched and contested initiatives of the current administration.