Two Jan. 6 officers sue to block Justice Department anti-weaponization fund
The Facts
- Harry Dunn and Daniel Hodges sued in federal court in Washington, D.C., to block the Justice Department's anti-weaponization fund.
- Dunn is a retired U.S. Capitol Police officer and Hodges is a Metropolitan Police Department officer who defended the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021 attack.
- The lawsuit asks a judge to find the fund's creation illegal and to reverse Treasury Department transfers made to the Justice Department to implement it.
- The anti-weaponization fund totals about $1.776 billion and was created as part of a settlement connected to Trump's lawsuit over leaked tax returns.
- The officers contend the fund could compensate Jan. 6 defendants or groups tied to political violence, which they say would put them at further risk.
- Administration officials have not ruled out Jan. 6 defendants being eligible to apply for money from the fund.
- How the fund will determine eligibility and distribute payments remains unclear, and the commissioners who will oversee awards had not been announced in the cited coverage.
How left and right are reading this
- Both agree
- A $1.776 billion Justice Department fund is being stood up with basic questions about eligibility, award decisions, and oversight still unresolved, while officials have not ruled out Jan. 6 defendants applying for money.
- They split on
- Less a disagreement than a question of emphasis: the risk that public money could reach people tied to political violence and endanger those harmed, versus the broader failure of institutional restraint in launching a large program before its rules and overseers are clear.
Analytical frames for this storyTap to explore
Context
What is the anti-weaponization fund?
It is a roughly $1.776 billion Justice Department compensation fund created this week as part of a settlement tied to Trump's lawsuit over leaked tax returns. The administration has described it as a fund for people who say they were unfairly targeted or prosecuted by the federal government Hill,Newsweek.
Why are the officers challenging it?
Dunn and Hodges argue the fund is unlawful and say it could send taxpayer money to Jan. 6 defendants or allied groups, which they contend would encourage further threats and violence against officers like them Axios,CBS News,Al Jazeera Online.
What is still unresolved?
It remains unclear who will ultimately qualify for payments, how awards will be decided, and whether the officers have legal standing to stop the program in court. Coverage also says the administration had not announced the commissioners who would oversee payouts NBC News,POLITICO.
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Wire services (15)
APWISH-TV | Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana TrafficOfficers who defended Capitol on Jan. 6 challenge Trump's ne...
Independent coverage (50)
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Bangkok PostUS Capitol police sue to stop Trump 'slush fund'
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CBS NewsJan. 6 officer suing to block Trump fund: "These people... s...
MediaiteTrump Acting AG Todd Blanche Bizarrely Claims, 'People That ...
TMZCapitol Police Officers Sue Trump Administration Over Jan 6....
France 24Police defenders of US Capitol sue to stop Trump 'slush fund...
Al Jazeera OnlineUS police officers sue Trump over $1.8bn 'anti-weaponisation...
KXAN.comJan. 6 officers sue to stop Trump's $1.776 billion lawfare f...
Erie News Now - Your News TeamTwo Jan. 6 Police Officers Sue to Block 'Anti-Weaponization ...
NBC NewsSen. Dick Durbin warns DOJ against 'doling out compensation ...
Crooks and LiarsJ6 Police Officers Sue To Block Trump's $1.8 Billion Slush F...
Talking Points MemoLouisiana Governor Heckled, Rejected During Tour of Greenlan...
mintUS Capitol police officers challenge Trump Administration's ...
The HillHouse Republican: 'We're gonna kill' Trump's nearly $1.8B 'a...
Anadolu Ajansı2 police officers injured in Jan 6 US Capitol riot sue to bl...
Law & CrimeJan. 6 cops say Trump's 'chilling' $1.776B fund puts them in...
International Business TimesJanuary 6 Capitol Riot Police Officers Sue to Block Trump's ...
France 24Police sue to block Jan 6 rioters from payouts via Trump's '...
ArcaMaxUS Capitol officers sue to block $1.8 billion fund that coul...
TimesNowJan. 6 Police Officers Daniel Hodges And Harry Dunn Sue to B...
The Daily CallerJan. 6 Officers Sue Trump Admin Over Government Lawfare Vict...
ThePrintPolice officers who guarded Capitol sue to block Trump's $1....
USA TodayJan. 6 officers sue to block Trump's $1.8B 'slush fund' for ...
New York PostJan. 6 cops sue to block $1.776B 'slush fund' created in wak...
Washington TimesCapitol riot police officers sue to stop Anti-Weaponization ...
The Philadelphia InquirerPrison to pardons to payouts: Jan. 6 rioters are elated at T...
Common DreamsPolice Officers Who Defended Capitol From Jan. 6 Insurrectio...
The Globe and MailU.S. police who defended Capitol on Jan. 6 sue to block payo...
MediaiteJohnson Grilled on Trump's $1.8B 'Anti-Weaponization Fund'
Honolulu Star AdvertiserJan. 6 officers sue over Trump's $1.8B 'weaponization' fund ...
The Spokesman ReviewPolice officers at Capitol on Jan. 6 sue to block DOJ payout...
Court House News ServiceOfficers who defended US Capitol on Jan. 6 sue to block 'ant...
RedstateTrump's Weaponization Compensation Fund Now Challenged by Ja...
AxiosHow Trump's $1.8B "anti-weaponization" fund works
MediaiteJUST IN: Cops Who Defended the Capitol on Jan 6 Move to Bloc...
The Boston GlobeOfficers who defended Capitol from rioters sue to block payo...
Charleston Gazette-MailOfficers who defended Capitol from rioters sue to block payo...
HuffPostTrump Sued Over 'Stunningly, Blindingly Illegal' Slush Fund
Aol2 officers who defended Capitol on Jan. 6 sue to stop Trump'...
HuffPostMike Johnson Pretends To Have No Idea 'Anti-Weaponization Fu...
NewserJan. 6 Cops Sue to Stop Trump's $1.8B Payout Fund
Above the LawCapitol Police Officers Sue To Block Trump Slush Fund For Ri...
The HillJan. 6 officers sue Trump over 'anti-weaponization fund'
Yahoo NewsMike Johnson Pretends To Have No Idea 'Anti-Weaponization Fu...
Daily NewsCapitol cops sue to block $1.8B fund that could aid Jan. 6 a...
The New RepublicJan. 6 Police Officers Sue Trump Over His $1.8 Billion Slush...
Washington ExaminerOfficers who defended Capitol on Jan. 6 sue DOJ over anti-we...
YahooJanuary 6 police officers sue Trump over $1.8bn fund, allegi...
ABC7 New York2 officers who defended Capitol on Jan. 6 sue to stop Trump'...
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