Jan. 6 Police Officers Sue to Block Trump’s Payout Fund
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Two police officers who defended the Capitol on January 6, 2021, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to block a nearly $1.8 billion fund they claim will reward rioters and right-wing militia groups involved in the attack.
- The suit alleges the fund was created without Congressional authorization and accuses the administration of establishing a "slush fund" to finance insurrectionists and paramilitary violence.
- The Trump administration describes the fund as compensation for individuals unfairly targeted by the Biden Justice Department, but critics, including some Republicans, view it as a way to funnel taxpayer money to Trump's allies.
- Over 150 officers were injured during the Capitol attack, with some testifying before Congress, including the plaintiffs, Officers Harry Dunn and Daniel Hodges.
- Officer Harry Dunn, one of the plaintiffs, is currently running as a Democrat for a congressional seat in Maryland.