California Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing a 100% state tax on any California resident who receives money from President Donald Trump’s newly created Anti-Weaponization Fund—a move that comes as a federal judge has temporarily blocked the controversial program from moving forward.
“Anyone from California that receives any of those funds,” Newsom said during a Wednesday news conference, according to Fox News. “We want to tax 100% of those proceeds and that’s an action the state of California can take. It’s an action we look forward to taking.”
Newsom’s proposal targets the Department of Justice’s new $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, which was established as part of a settlement that led Trump to drop a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. The fund is intended to compensate individuals who claim they were victims of government “weaponization” or politically motivated legal actions.
The California governor, who is widely viewed as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, has been among the fund’s most vocal critics.
On social media, Newsom argued the fund could ultimately benefit people connected to the January 6 Capitol riot.
“He pardoned all of those folks that were beating up cops and absolved them, providing them 1.776 billion dollars. So not only do you get a pardon, you get rewarded,” Newsom wrote on X, according to Fox News. “That’s why this is needed.”
Supporters of the Anti-Weaponization Fund have described it as a nonpartisan effort to provide compensation to Americans who were improperly targeted by government agencies. Critics, however, have labeled it a political “boondoggle” that could enrich Trump’s allies.
Newsom’s opposition has also sparked accusations of hypocrisy from Republicans and conservative critics. Fox News noted that critics have pointed to California’s own politically controversial spending programs, including a $25 million legal fund established to challenge actions taken by the Trump administration. California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones previously described that program as a “slush fund.”
The debate may be largely theoretical for now.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema temporarily blocked the Trump administration from establishing or operating the Anti-Weaponization Fund while legal challenges proceed. Brinkema ordered the government to maintain the status quo until she can rule on requests to halt the program more permanently.
The judge’s ruling prevents any funds from being distributed while the case moves forward, creating a major obstacle for one of Trump’s most controversial second-term initiatives.
Newsom’s proposed tax would likely face legal scrutiny of its own if the fund ultimately survives the ongoing court challenge and begins issuing payments.
