Two police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, attack have filed a lawsuit to block payouts from a $1.776 billion settlement fund. This fund is for individuals claiming to be victims of politically motivated prosecutions. The officers seek to prevent rioters from benefiting.
Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the fund creation during a congressional hearing. The lawsuit was filed in response. Blanche was a personal attorney for ex-President Donald Trump before joining the Justice Department. He has not ruled out the possibility of January 6 rioters receiving funds.
The lawsuit describes the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” as an “illegal slush fund” designed to support insurrectionists and paramilitary groups.
The lawsuit argues there is no legal authority for the fund’s creation. It labels the fund’s origin as “the most brazen act of presidential corruption this century.” The plaintiffs seek the fund’s dissolution.
The settlement fund arose from Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax returns. It compensates those claiming mistreatment by previous Justice Department administrations. A five-member commission, appointed by the attorney general, will decide on payouts.
Over 100 police officers were injured during the Capitol riot. Nearly 1,600 people faced charges connected to the January 6 events, but Trump issued pardons last year, dismissing all cases.
The plaintiffs, Metropolitan Police Department officer Daniel Hodges and former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, who is running for Congress in Maryland, have spoken to Congress about their experiences.
Videos show a rioter removing Hodges’ mask while he was pinned against a door. The lawsuit suggests the fund could encourage further violence in Trump’s name, increasing risk to officers like Hodges and Dunn.
A commission, currently without named members, will determine fund distributions. Blanche highlighted during a CNN interview that decisions will factor in each claimant’s actions. He stated that it’s abnormal to reward those who harm law enforcement but referenced government lawsuits financially benefiting such individuals.
Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, both named in the lawsuit, have not commented. Attempts to reach spokespeople for the Justice and Treasury departments about the suit were unanswered. One of the officers’ attorneys, Brendan Ballou, formerly prosecuted January 6 cases at the Justice Department.