Federal Judge Halts Work On Trump’s ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’

The House Rules Committee last week rejected a Democratic amendment that would have barred people charged or convicted in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot from receiving compensation through a newly announced federal restitution fund tied to the Trump administration.

The dispute centers on a $1.8 billion compensation fund announced Monday by the United States Department of Justice.

The fund is part of a broader settlement arrangement connected to President Trump dropping a $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the 2019 and 2020 leak of his tax returns by a contractor.

Critics have raised concerns because Congress has not formally appropriated the $1.8 billion and because attorneys representing Jan. 6 defendants have publicly indicated they may seek payments from the fund on behalf of their clients.

During the Rules Committee hearing, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) introduced an amendment that would have prohibited individuals charged or convicted in connection with the Capitol riot from receiving any compensation through the program, reports said.