Jan. 6 officers sue over $1.8B pot they call ‘slush fund’ for ‘insurrectionists’

Justice DepartmentJan. 6 officers sue over $1.8B pot they call ‘slush fund’ for ‘insurrectionists’The lawsuit seeks to block the Justice Department’s new “anti-weaponization fund” created as part of a settlement with President Donald Trump. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Daniel Hodges, MPD officer, left, and Harry Dunn, U.S. Capitol Police officer, listen during a Jan. 6 committee hearing at the Capitol on June 21, 2022.Al Drago / Bloomberg via Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 20, 2026, 10:58 AM EDTBy Ryan J. ReillyTwo officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021 siege sued Tuesday to block the Trump administration’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” money pool, describing it as a “taxpayer-funded slush fund to finance the insurrectionists and paramilitary groups” that they say committed violence in President Donald Trump’s name.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The lawsuit — filed by former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn and Metropolitan Police Department Officer Daniel Hodges — argues the fund is illegal and the settlement on which it is premised “a corrupt sham.” Trump, his sons filed a $10 billion suit against the government over the leak of his tax returns, but agreed to drop the suit “in exchange” for the establishment of the fund. Those who believe they have been harmed by the government can apply for money. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Tuesday anyone could apply, but insisted that Jan. 6 rioters weren’t automatically going to be paid out.“Does it mean they’re going to get money? No,” he said. “It just means they are allowed to apply.”Trump supporters clash with police inside the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021.Mostafa Bassim / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images fileThere will be five commissioners, chosen Todd Blanche, who will dole out money. The commissioners haven’t been announced. It’s not clear how the Justice Department...