Capitol officers sue to block $1.776B 'anti-weaponization' fund

Two police officers who helped defend the U.S. Capitol against a mob of supporters of President Donald Trump on Jan. 6, 2021, filed a federal lawsuit in Washington on Wednesday to block payouts from a newly created $1.776 billion settlement fund. The anti-weaponization fund is intended to compensate individuals who claim they were targeted as victims of politically motivated prosecutions.^[1][2][3]

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, officers Harry Dunn and Daniel Hodges, clashed with rioters on the lower west terrace of the Capitol, which was the site of the worst violence during the attack. Both officers continue to receive death threats from Trump supporters following their actions defending the building.^[1]

The attorneys representing the officers are seeking a court order to prevent anyone, specifically including those who participated in the Jan. 6 riot, from receiving financial payouts from the settlement fund. The federal lawsuit was filed just one day after Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche publicly defended the creation of the fund during a congressional hearing.^[1][2][3]

Blanche, who previously worked as a personal attorney for President Donald Trump before taking on his current role at the Justice Department, defended the fund's creation during a congressional hearing. The acting attorney general would not rule out the possibility that Jan. 6 rioters could receive compensation from the $1.776 billion program.^[1][2][3]