Two law enforcement officers who protected the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021 riot have taken legal action to stop President Donald Trump’s nearly $1.8 billion compensation fund for victims of political weaponization.
Harry Dunn, a former Capitol Police officer, and Daniel Hodges from the Metropolitan Police Department filed their federal court challenge in Washington on Wednesday. In their legal filing, they claim Trump has established a taxpayer-funded slush fund worth $1.776 billion designed to benefit insurrectionists and paramilitary organizations that engage in violence on his behalf.
The officers are requesting a judicial order to prevent any disbursements from the fund, describing it as the most blatant example of presidential corruption in this century.
The compensation fund emerged from Trump’s Monday settlement with the Internal Revenue Service, where he agreed to withdraw his $10 billion legal action concerning the disclosure of his tax documents from his previous presidency. The Justice Department established the fund as part of this agreement to provide compensation for those affected by political weaponization.
During congressional hearings on Tuesday, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche fielded numerous inquiries about the fund’s operations. Blanche explained that the money would be available to individuals from all political parties and would not be restricted solely to January 6 defendants. He noted that eligibility would be determined broadly based on experiences of weaponization.
Dunn, who is Black and served 15 years protecting lawmakers, has spoken publicly about enduring physical attacks and racist harassment during the Capitol assault. Trump supporters were attempting to stop Congress from confirming former President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. Dunn testified before a bipartisan House committee investigating the deadly incident and has discussed his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from the attack.
Hodges gained widespread attention when video footage showed him trapped in a revolving door by a rioter using a police shield during the Capitol breach. He continues serving with Washington’s police department and has provided congressional testimony about his ordeal.
