US Capitol police officers challenge Trump administration’s $1.8 billion fund amid fears Jan. 6 rioters could receive payouts | Today’s news
Two police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021 attack have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block payments from a new $1.776 billion settlement fund created to compensate people who say they were victims of politically motivated prosecutions.
The lawsuit represents a new legal and political flashpoint over how the fund will be managed — and who may ultimately benefit.
Who filed the lawsuit
The plaintiffs are:
– Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges
– Former US Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, who is also running for Congress in Maryland
Both officers were on duty during the attack on the Capitol and had previously testified before Congress about their experiences, including violent confrontations with rioters.
What are challenging
The officers are asking a federal court to block the distribution of funds from what is formally described as the “Anti-Gun Fund.”
-Has no legal basis under federal law
-Was created by a “corrupt” alignment process
-Could be used to benefit individuals involved in the January 6th attack
-Violates constitutional limitations on executive power
Their lawsuit calls the fund an illegal “discount fund” and calls for its complete dissolution.
Concerns about possible payouts on January 6
A central concern raised in the lawsuit is the possibility that individuals who participated in the riots at the Capitol could receive compensation.
The complaint follows comments by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who did not rule out that the Jan. 6 defendants could be eligible for payments under the program during a congressional hearing.
Cops say this creates a dangerous contradiction: people who assault officers could potentially be rewarded by the same system.
What is the fund intended for?
The $1.776 billion fund comes from a settlement related to President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over the leaking of his tax returns.
It is intended to compensate individuals who claim they have been unfairly targeted or harmed by previous actions by the Department of Justice, particularly under previous administrations.
A five-member commission appointed by the Attorney General will oversee the decision on the payouts.
Accusations of political abuse
Hodges and Dunn allege in their records that the fund could be misused politically.
– Support violence committed “in the name of the president”
-Increase threats against police officers
-Being used to financially support individuals associated with politically motivated attacks
The lawsuit also says the two officers already face ongoing threats and that the fund could worsen their security risks.
The case comes amid an ongoing national debate about the Jan. 6 attack and its aftermath.
More than 100 police officers were injured in the riots and around 1,600 people were charged in connection with the events. Many of those cases were later expunged after Trump was pardoned.
The lawsuit also names Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Attorney General Todd Blanche as defendants.
Read also | Former Trump ally furious after Massie loss: ‘Future of GOP destroyed’