Washington

Trump Compensates Victims of Government Weaponization

Critics are calling it a “slush fund” for the president’s allies — but funds are available for everyone.

May 31, 2026

Trump Compensates Victims of Government Weaponization

_WHAT’S HAPPENING_

President Donald Trump's Justice Department established a $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" last week as part of a settlement dismissing his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax records. The fund is designed to compensate Americans who claim they were unfairly targeted by politicized federal investigations.

But on Friday, a US district judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from setting up or operating the fund pending further legal arguments. The fund has sparked fierce debate in Washington, with critics from both parties calling it a "slush fund" and even some Senate Republicans expressing opposition to the program.

_THE FACTS_

The Justice Department announced the fund as part of a settlement dismissing Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax records.
A five-member board appointed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche will evaluate claims on a "case-by-case" basis, considering factors like legal fees, prison time served, and evidence of harm.
Vice President JD Vance stated that "Republicans can apply for it. Democrats can apply for it," adding that Hunter Biden could submit a claim if he wished.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said he was "not a big fan" of the fund and questioned how the administration intends to use it.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) called the fund tone-deaf, saying Americans are "concerned about paying their mortgage or rent, affording groceries and paying for gas."
Top White House aides have reportedly been discussing whether Trump should kill the fund after the harsh blowback from Senate Republicans.
Two Capitol Police officers filed a lawsuit claiming potential payouts to Jan. 6 rioters could increase the risk of "vigilante violence" against them.
US District Judge Leonie Brinkema blocked the administration from "taking any further action" to set up or operate the fund pending further legal review.
The fund is set to expire on December 1, 2028, with remaining money returning to the Department of Commerce.

_OUR TAKE_

Critics of the fund are characterizing it as a "slush fund" so that Trump can pay his political allies, but that ignores the many instances of government weaponization just under Joe Biden, including Jack Smith's mass seizure of congressional toll records and the Biden DOJ's aggressive prosecution of pro-life activists under the FACE Act.

Most importantly, the fund is open to all Americans regardless of politics and requires individuals to provide evidence before any compensation is granted. While some January 6 rioters were violent and smashed windows and beat police officers, many were unjustly prosecuted when they committed no crime besides wandering through the capital when police had permitted them to.

Dismissing the fund outright ignores the real victims of government weaponization, who had years of their lives upended by the federal government.

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Scott Connell5 months ago

Yes, if they committed no violent acts other than walking through the Capital Bldg when let in by the Capital Police and were unfairly imprisoned without do process, then they deserve some a mount of compensation.

Bernie Peer5 months ago

I think many had their lives upended and were treated unfairly, however they should bring in individual lawsuits. I appreciate Trumps thoughtfulness to his supporters though. If they block the payments or those blue states take their money I think Trump should continue with his lawsuit.

Marsha Redden5 months ago

I agree that those who committed no crime should bring individual lawsuits. Their rights were abused and those responsible should be held accountable.

Jane Spring5 months ago

I think it is warranted but too political to work for anyone’s benefit. There should be a penalty for using government to punish political foes. Sad times in USA…

louis Duke5 months ago

No the country is in debt He could issue pardons to those who lives have been effected and held to clear their names and procedures to charge those responsible for crimes committed

Photo Man5 months ago

"Should Trump use the funds to compensate January 6ers?" Oh, yeah, my taxpayer $$$ to subsidize someone doing something they should have not been doing. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it. Trump's DOGE was to reduce spending, fraud and waste. This Trump 'fund" only creates another bungling bureaucratic nightmare, the opposite effect of DOGE. Overall, sounds like a stupid idea. However, I agree with Louis Duke. Hey, Trump, do you have an autopen to do such?

Chris Campbell5 months ago

Oh good. Another buthurt democrat. Like democrats really care about your tax $$$. BTW, protesting a stolen election is completely legit.

Photo Man5 months ago

Well, Chris, I do not recognize your name from any contributions during the past months. Any poster of any amount of time on here definitely know I am NOT a freaking liberal Democrat or Democrat lover of any means!!!! So makes you think I am? I just really love people like yourself who thinks they know everything about someone when in essence you know exactly nothing obviously about me. Thanks so much for your slander and accusation.

Jim Ahern5 months ago

So yet another socialist/establishment judge puts the brakes on Trump's agenda. This has been an ongoing assault on practically every mainstream issue the President pursues, coincidence? What standing do these judges truly have to keep challenging the Executive Branch's decisions? And at what point do we not turn the table on these radical libby socialist judges and hold them accountable for obstruction of justice such as in all the Mass Deportation blockades they enacted. The guidelines are clear and justified for those who unjustly suffered due to the unprecedented weaponization of the corrupt Biden Admin./DOJ. Which of course leads to the question of "when are we going to bring the vile and corrupt of this country to justice"? I'll do you one better though, this fund should be funded by the likes of (Biden, Merrick Garland, J6 Committee and all AG's) involved who sold out their fellow Americans to their DS Establishment and Foreign Masters..

roger mac5 months ago

the simply fact is that our government treated badly and made many suffer for a very false narrative. that by many accounts may have even participated in making it worse. then falsely punished many that did nothing wrong. sad that ones in government will never be fully held accountable for their lies, may they reap what they sown. this nothing more than attempt to help those that were unjustly treated. anyone against that happening is just as guilty and delusional and evil as the ones that made it happen.

Binh Duong5 months ago

Many J6 were unjustly treated, so they should be compensated, especially when no dirty Commie will go to jail for their treatments of these J6. When only DemonCrats & low t RINOs complain, then you know it is the correct thing to do. Remember how some Senators are ok with “slush funds” to reimburse them for their phones being hacked? These scumbags are okay with slush funds for them but not for other Americans.

Jim Harmon5 months ago

As the article points out, weaponization is not limited to any group of people, regardless of political affiliation. "Weaponization is a real thing and should be addressed. Circumstances should bear out valid compensation, but it shouldn't be ignored. Of course, no way will politics not influence the process.

Jennifer Paulson5 months ago

Yes, unless there is another legal way to compensate them for their financial loss, and treatment for physical and emotional trauma. They have already been pardoned. To understand more fully the extent of the abuse of power during prosecutions read Patriot Plea by John Strand.

Shaun Hurrie5 months ago

Yes it should for those who can show they were unduly persecuted by the Biden government. But it is not a free-for-all for any Jan.6er

Chris Campbell5 months ago

"While some January 6 rioters were violent and smashed windows and beat police officers"

What?!? Someone has been reading AP reports/lies. More guilt by accusation? C'mon guys, you are better than this.

Bonnie Hissom5 months ago

NO. Apologize and move on. There are other more critical needs

Jim Powers 5 months ago

Trump should vacate the settlement and pursue his original lawsuit. Then use the resulting funds to compensate these individuals from funds he controls.

Roger Kirkpatrick5 months ago

This is a ridiculous action at this time.

sharon smith5 months ago

The ones who were not actively involved, but were arrested anyway should be compensated for loss of work time and/or job. I can also see some Dems jumping on the bandwagon to get some use out of the fund, especially those at the top of the 'food chain'!

sharon smith5 months ago

I always suspected that Soros had some investment in the J-6 activities against Trump and more should be investigated along those lines. Those disguised actors weren't doing their harm free of charge. Money had to have been used to bring them all out against Trump. The whole scenario was ridiculous and I would like to know who was behind it!

Dale Lytle5 months ago

People who did nothing were imprisoned and forced to pay high legal fees to battle their fake crimes. So yes, they should get some form of compensation. Unfortunately, suing the government may get them some money back but the real culprits have gone free and are living on government retirements.

Doug Ebbecke5 months ago

Receiving compensation for being unjustly charged is only fair. From a few of things I’ve read some of those jailed or harassed were just at the protest and didn’t even enter the Capitol Building and others that entered when the police were holding the doors open should also be compensated. Anyone destroying public property, paid for by taxpayers, shouldn’t receive a dime.