Fanone Denounces DOJ's $1.7 Billion Fund as Jan. 6 'Slush Fund'
Updated
Updated · HuffPost · May 19
Fanone Denounces DOJ's $1.7 Billion Fund as Jan. 6 'Slush Fund'
4 articles · Updated · HuffPost · May 19
Michael Fanone, a former D.C. officer injured in the Jan. 6 attack, said the Justice Department’s $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization fund” insults officers who defended the Capitol.
The fund was created as Trump dropped his $10 billion lawsuit against the DOJ and separate administrative damages claims; DOJ says it will compensate people harmed by “weaponization and lawfare.”
Fanone said the money could effectively reward Jan. 6 defendants and called it a “buyout” for “violent criminals,” arguing it deepens the loss of accountability after roughly 1,500 riot pardons.
Democrats have also raised alarms that the fund could benefit Trump’s political allies, while Trump told reporters Monday he knew “very little” about it.
Without judicial review, what legal standard will prevent the new $1.776 billion government fund from becoming a political tool?
Trump’s $1.776 Billion Anti-Weaponization Fund: Legal, Ethical, and Political Shockwaves Ahead of 2028
Overview
In May 2026, the Trump administration and the Department of Justice announced a $1.776 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund to compensate people who claim they were politically targeted, especially during the Biden administration. The fund’s amount was set based on projected future claims. The administration presented it as a way to address perceived injustices, with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche describing it as a lawful process for victims to seek redress. President Trump emphasized that the fund is meant to reimburse those who were 'horribly treated,' highlighting its role in responding to claims of government overreach.