Two police officers who defended the Capitol against a mob on January 6, 2021, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. They aim to stop the creation of a fund they believe will reward the rioters and right-wing militia groups.
The lawsuit was filed by former Officer Harry Dunn of the U.S. Capitol Police and Officer Daniel Hodges of Washington’s Metropolitan Police. They allege that the Trump administration has established a $1.8 billion “slush fund” to finance insurrectionists and paramilitary groups. The suit names President Trump, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as defendants.
The officers claim the administration exceeded its statutory authority by creating this fund without congressional approval. Trump administration officials describe it as compensation for those unfairly targeted for prosecution by the Biden Justice Department and Democrats. However, the fund has faced opposition from both Democrats and some Republicans, who see it as funneling taxpayer money to Trump’s allies.
“Although Trump and his cronies have been secretive about the fund’s ends, reporting leaves no doubt that it will be used, among other purposes, to pay the nearly 1,600 people charged with attacking the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021,” the lawsuit states.
The White House directed questions about the lawsuit to the Justice Department, which has yet to comment.
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