The Justice Department has told a federal court that it is no longer pursuing a $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate people who claimed to have been politically persecuted by the government.

The department's statement represents its clearest indication to date that it was stepping back from the plan to use taxpayer money for such payments. The fund had been established during the Trump administration as part of what officials called an "anti-weaponization" initiative.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the fund from being used last week after a January 6 prosecutor filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's actions regarding the fund. The Justice Department's response came as part of court proceedings in that case.

The $1.8 billion fund had drawn scrutiny from various quarters, with questions raised about the criteria for eligibility and the process for distributing the money. The fund was designed to provide compensation to individuals who believed they had been unfairly targeted by government agencies for political reasons.

The development comes amid broader debates over government spending priorities and the use of taxpayer funds. The Justice Department's decision to abandon the fund appears to resolve immediate concerns about its implementation, though legal proceedings related to the matter may continue.