Top Treasury lawyer resigns after creation of ‘anti-weaponization fund’

WASHINGTON — The top lawyer at the Treasury Department stepped down Monday following the creation of a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” that could soon make payments to President Trump’s political allies, according to three people familiar with the move.

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Brian Morrissey, the Treasury’s general counsel, resigned from the position seven months after he was confirmed to it by the Senate and just hours after the Trump administration announced the fund Monday.

Morrissey did not respond to requests for comment. A Treasury spokesperson said, “Mr. Morrissey has served the United States Treasury with both honor and integrity. We wish him all the best in his next endeavors.” In his resignation letter, Morrissey said he was grateful to have worked for Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to two people familiar with the letter.

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The Treasury Department is responsible for depositing $1.776 billion into an account that will be controlled by a group of people selected by the acting attorney general, Todd Blanche, according to the terms of the fund released Monday.

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This article originally appeared in The New York Times.