Michael Cohen Considers Justice Department’s Anti-Weaponization Fund

Michael Cohen, once a lawyer for former President Donald Trump, plans to apply for compensation from the Justice Department’s new “anti-weaponization fund.” Cohen, who has now become a vocal critic of Trump, shared his intentions with CBS News.

The fund, valued at $1.776 billion, aims to aid individuals who believe the legal system targeted them unfairly. It is a result of an agreement between Trump and the Justice Department to settle a lawsuit which involved the president’s leaked tax returns.

Cohen mentioned, “I am working through the process on my own and will submit the letter directly to the DOJ once completed,” in a text to CBS News. He believes his situation mirrors the case that prompted Trump’s lawsuit.

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.

At one point, Cohen was a trusted advisor and described himself as someone who would “take a bullet” for Trump. However, in 2018, he received a three-year prison sentence for campaign finance violations linked to payments made to women who claimed affairs with Trump. He also faced prison time for lying to Congress about a proposed Trump Tower project in Moscow, an issue addressed during the special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.

During his sentencing, Cohen expressed regret juxtaposed with his former loyalty to Trump, which led him along a “path of darkness.” This sense of obedience led Cohen to claim he lacked the “strength to question and to refuse his demands.”

Following his prison term, Cohen became a key witness in 2024 during a state criminal proceeding against Trump. The former president was charged with falsifying records tied to the payments that had been part of Cohen’s original charges.

Notably, Cohen had previously sought redress, filing a lawsuit in 2020 after being removed from home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. He argued this action was in retaliation for his critical stance on Trump. This legal attempt was unsuccessful as a judge dismissed it based on earlier court rulings.

With the fund’s announcement, Cohen is among the first known individuals critical of Trump to indicate an application. However, Trump allies such as former adviser Michael Caputo have also shown interest, with Caputo seeking $2.7 million from the fund. Some defendants of the January 6th riot have suggested interest in applying too.

The fund’s existence has sparked debate. Critics from both political sides and ethics organizations have voiced opposition. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington labeled it as a significant act of “self-dealing.” In contrast, the Justice Department, represented by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, defended the fund, suggesting it aims to resolve years of system misuse.