2 officers who defended Capitol on Jan. 6 sue to stop Trump’s Anti-Weaponization Fund
Two police officers who bravely defended the U.S. Capitol during the harrowing Jan. 6 attack in 2021 have taken a stand against what they believe to be a dangerously corrupt move by former President Donald Trump. Officer Harry Dunn of the Capitol Police and Officer Daniel Hodges of the Metropolitan Police Department are suing to halt the establishment of Trump’s controversial $1.7 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which they have dubbed as the “most brazen act of presidential corruption this century.”
In their lawsuit, Dunn and Hodges argue that the creation of this fund, announced by the Justice Department, not only incentivizes and supports individuals who resorted to violence in the name of President Trump but also directly finances their illicit activities. They assert that dismantling the fund is crucial to prevent the public financing of paramilitary organizations within the United States and to shield themselves from further violence.
The fund, which emerged as part of a settlement agreement in Trump’s legal battle against the Internal Revenue Service, was established by the Trump administration to compensate individuals who claim to have been unjustly targeted under the Biden administration. This move has sparked outrage and concern among law enforcement officers like Dunn and Hodges, who fear the repercussions of such a fund.
Adding fuel to the fire, former Trump administration official Michael Caputo has announced his intention to seek a $2.7 million reimbursement from the fund. Caputo, a former spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, alleges that he was unfairly targeted by the FBI’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and faced renewed scrutiny under the Biden administration for a documentary he produced with One America News regarding alleged ties between President Joe Biden and Ukraine.
In a letter posted online, Caputo expressed gratitude to Trump for creating the Anti-Weaponization Fund, citing his family’s ordeal during the controversial investigations as a reason for seeking compensation. This move has further fueled the controversy surrounding the fund and raised questions about its legitimacy and purpose.
Dunn and Hodges have raised strong objections to the fund’s establishment, arguing that it violates the Administrative Procedures Act and contravenes the Fourteenth Amendment’s prohibition against government funding of insurrections. They have filed a lawsuit in D.C. federal court seeking to halt the creation and funding of the compensation fund, emphasizing the lack of statutory authorization, the corrupt nature of the settlement on which it is based, and its constitutional and legal implications.
As two of the most well-known law enforcement officers who bravely defended the Capitol on that fateful day, Dunn and Hodges are determined to ensure that justice prevails and that the integrity of their actions is preserved. Their lawsuit represents a critical step in holding accountable those responsible for the events of Jan. 6 and upholding the principles of law and order within the United States.
