Two police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, attack have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the legality of the Trump administration’s recently established $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund.” The fund, announced on May 18, 2026, aims to compensate individuals who claim to have been victims of politically motivated prosecutions.
Officers Harry Dunn, formerly of the U.S. Capitol Police, and Daniel Hodges of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department, contend that the fund is unconstitutional and could potentially reward individuals involved in the Capitol riot. Their lawsuit, filed on May 20, 2026, names President Donald Trump, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as defendants. The officers argue that the fund lacks congressional authorization and serves as an illegal mechanism to reward individuals involved in the January 6 insurrection. ([readers.id](https://www.readers.id/en/police-officers-sue-trump-fund?utm_source=openai))
The “Anti-Weaponization Fund” was created as part of a settlement resolving President Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over the leak of his tax returns. The fund is intended to provide apologies and monetary relief to individuals who have “suffered weaponization and lawfare.” ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/3729de38770b558be01712a143437bf8?utm_source=openai))
Critics, including the plaintiffs, express concern that the fund could be used to compensate individuals who participated in the Capitol attack, thereby undermining justice and potentially endangering law enforcement officers. The lawsuit describes the fund’s creation as “the most brazen act of presidential corruption this century” and calls for its dissolution. ([inquirer.com](https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/trump-billion-weaponization-fund-lawsuit-capitol-police-hodges-dunn-20260520.html?utm_source=openai))
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the fund, stating that the Department of Justice aims to “make right the wrongs that were previously done while ensuring this never happens again.” However, he did not rule out the possibility that individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6 attack could be eligible for compensation. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/fc73eb5f35481bb6d8892ac1e14e98bd?utm_source=openai))
The fund will be overseen by a five-member commission appointed by the Attorney General, in consultation with congressional leadership. This commission has the authority to award formal apologies and monetary damages to compensate for prosecution. The fund is set to cease processing claims no later than December 1, 2028. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/3729de38770b558be01712a143437bf8?utm_source=openai))
Legal experts suggest that the officers’ lawsuit could set a precedent for contesting the use and intent of government-funded legal settlements. The outcome of this case may have significant implications for the administration’s ability to allocate funds without explicit congressional approval. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2026/05/20/jan-6-officers-sue-trump-weaponization-fund?utm_source=openai))