Two police officers who defended the Capitol against a pro-Trump mob on Jan. 6, 2021, sued the Trump administration on Wednesday to try to block the creation of a nearly $1.8 billion fund that they say will be used to reward the rioters and right-wing militia groups who tried to stop Congress from certifying the election results that day.
The lawsuit, filed by former Officer Harry Dunn of the U.S. Capitol Police and Officer Daniel Hodges of Washington’s Metropolitan Police, alleges that the Trump administration has created a “slush fund to finance the insurrectionists and paramilitary groups that commit violence in his name.” It names as defendants President Trump as well as acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The suit contends the administration has exceeded its statutory authority by creating the fund without the authorization of Congress.
Trump administration officials have portrayed the fund as a way to compensate people who claim they were unfairly targeted for prosecution by the Biden Justice Department and Democrats, but it has generated widespread opposition, including from some Republicans. Critics see it as nothing more than a pipeline to funnel taxpayer money to Mr. 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 says.
Mr. Dunn and Mr. Hodges were among the officers who testified before Congress about the violence they witnessed during the attack.
More than 150 officers were injured during the violence. Some were hit in the head with baseball bats, flagpoles and pipes. One lost consciousness after rioters used a metal barrier to push her down as they marched to the building.
Upon winning a second term in office, Mr. Trump issued nearly 1,600 pardons and 14 commutations for those involved in the assault on the Capitol.
Mr. Dunn is running as a Democrat for a congressional seat in Maryland.
Luke Broadwater covers the White House for The Times.
The post Jan. 6 Police Officers Sue to Block Trump’s Payout Fund appeared first on New York Times.
