Two police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, attack have filed a lawsuit. They aim to prevent anyone involved in the riot from receiving money from a new settlement fund. This fund, valued at $1.776 billion, is intended for those claiming to be victims of politically motivated prosecutions.
The lawsuit was filed a day after Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the fund’s creation in a congressional hearing. Blanche did not rule out rioters who attacked police from being eligible for payouts. The lawsuit calls the ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’ an illegal source of finances for insurrectionists and describes it as a significant act of presidential corruption.
The lawsuit states, “No statute authorizes its creation, the settlement on which it is premised is a corrupt sham, and its design violates the Constitution and federal law.”
The fund arises from a settlement over a $10 billion lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against the IRS regarding leaked tax returns. Its purpose is to compensate those mistreated by previous Justice Department actions. A five-member commission, selected by the attorney general, will decide on payout eligibility.
Over 100 officers were injured during the Capitol riot, with nearly 1,600 people charged in related crimes. Donald Trump used pardon powers to nullify these cases last year. The plaintiffs, Metropolitan Police Department officer Daniel Hodges and former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, testified about their experiences during the riot. Their lawsuit argues that the fund encourages further violence in the name of the President.
The fund has been criticized for increasing danger to officers. Decision-making authority for payouts lies with a commission not yet announced, although Blanche will choose its members. He mentioned that actions of individuals would be assessed in payout decisions. Blanche acknowledged the harm to law enforcement yet pointed out that claims against the government result in payouts frequently.
Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are also named defendants in the officers’ lawsuit. Neither the Justice Department nor Treasury Department responded to requests for comments.