Supreme Court Limits Glyphosate Lawsuits, Overturns $1.25 Million Award

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled 7-2 to restrict state lawsuits alleging that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Bayer's Roundup herbicide, causes cancer—overturning a $1.25 million jury award in Missouri.

Separately, individuals linked to President Donald Trump are filing claims against a newly established $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund," created to compensate those who allege they were politically targeted by the Justice Department.

Supreme Court Ruling on Glyphosate Litigation

The Supreme Court's decision limits the scope of thousands of pending state lawsuits against Bayer AG, which acquired Roundup through its purchase of Monsanto in 2018. The ruling overturned a jury award to John Durnell, who claimed glyphosate exposure caused his non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted in the ruling that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has repeatedly concluded that glyphosate does not cause cancer and has not required a cancer warning on Roundup labels. Bayer stated the decision aligns with the scientific consensus of regulators in Europe, Asia, and Latin America that glyphosate is not likely carcinogenic.

"The EPA has repeatedly concluded that glyphosate does not cause cancer." — Justice Brett Kavanaugh

Bayer has faced over 100,000 lawsuits related to the herbicide. The company has removed glyphosate from consumer versions of Roundup but continues to produce the chemical for agricultural use. Bayer remains the only U.S. producer of elemental phosphorus, a key ingredient in glyphosate-based herbicides.

The litigation has largely relied on a 2015 assessment by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which Bayer and the EPA have described as outdated. Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized the Supreme Court and President Trump for the ruling and the administration's protection of glyphosate.

In February, President Trump issued an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to secure domestic supplies of glyphosate-based herbicides, describing them as critical to national security and agricultural production.

The Anti-Weaponization Fund and Claims

The Trump administration established a $1.8 billion fund to compensate individuals who allege they were targeted by the Justice Department for political reasons. The fund has drawn criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick and Don Bacon have considered legislative action to block it, and Senator Mitch McConnell has called the fund "morally wrong."

"The machinery of government was clearly politically weaponized against my family." — Michael Caputo

• Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow, announced plans to file a claim from the fund, citing $400 million in losses. Lindell stated his company "lost $400 million from persecution."
• Michael Caputo, a former Health and Human Services official, became the first to apply, seeking $2.7 million for alleged political targeting.
• Michael Cohen, former lawyer for President Trump, is preparing to apply, claiming political persecution.
• James Comey, former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, hinted at applying. Comey told CNN: "I'm guessing I'll be in line."

President Trump has warned that opposing him "doesn't work out well."