Share and Follow
Lawmakers are expected to zero in on the proposed creation of a fund that may potentially offer financial compensation to individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol attack.
WASHINGTON — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is scheduled to appear before Congress on Tuesday, following the Trump administration’s decision to halt plans for a controversial $1.8 billion fund. This fund, initially designed to provide compensation to President Donald Trump’s allies who claim they were unfairly investigated or prosecuted, has sparked significant debate.
Although the House Appropriations Committee originally planned to discuss the Justice Department’s budget, the session is likely to be dominated by inquiries regarding the contentious fund. There is significant public outcry over the possibility that pro-Trump rioters from the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach might qualify for these payments.
President Trump is reportedly reevaluating the continuation of this fund, which was part of a resolution to his lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over leaked tax returns. This reconsideration comes amid backlash from his own party and recent legal challenges, according to sources familiar with the situation. On Monday, the Justice Department announced its compliance with a Virginia court ruling that temporarily blocks the administration’s “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” effectively pausing the initiative for a minimum of two weeks.
Meanwhile, a Florida judge has suggested the possibility of reopening the IRS lawsuit in light of “serious allegations” of misconduct by the administration, as voiced by critics of the settlement.
The Trump administration has defended the fund as an appropriate measure to make up for what officials insist was a weaponized Justice Department during President Joe Biden’s Democratic administration, a claim the Biden administration strongly denied. Though some Trump supporters, including participants in the Capitol riot, have celebrated the announcement, the reaction among Republicans in Congress has been decidedly more hostile, forcing Blanche to try to assuage a GOP constituency that generally operates in close alignment with the administration.
The furor has especially complicated matters in the Senate, where Republicans defiantly left town 10 days ago without passing legislation to fund Trump’s immigration enforcement agencies. Republicans who returned to Washington on Monday said they won’t have the votes to pass the Homeland Security spending bill until the White House works with them to place parameters on the fund. Many have pushed the administration to impose limits or scrap the idea altogether.
At a Senate budget hearing last month, Blanche refused to rule out the possibility that those who carried out violence on Jan. 6 could be eligible for payouts and has repeatedly said in interviews that anyone who feels persecuted by the criminal justice system is free to apply. Payouts will be decided by a five-member commission appointed by Blanche.
But he has apparently struck a more conciliatory tone in private when confronted by Republican anger.
Blanche encountered a groundswell of opposition last month at a tense private meeting with GOP senators, with more than half raising concerns, including by shouting at the Justice Department’s top official, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said in a recent episode of his podcast.
“There were fireworks at an epic level — and I’ve got to say, it’s one of the roughest meetings I’ve seen in my entire time in the Senate,” Cruz said.
Behind closed doors, Blanche was “adamant” that no one who assaulted police at the Capitol would receive compensation, according to Cruz.
“He said not just ‘no,’ but ‘hell no,’” the senator recalled.
Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.