The exact criteria for payments from Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion slush fund to compensate alleged “weaponization” victims are still unclear – but his supporters, who see themselves as the persecuted, are already lining up to secure their share, and disclose what they plan to do with the money.
“Anyone can apply,” acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told lawmakers at a Senate hearing Tuesday. He even suggested that former First Son Hunter Biden could be entitled to compensation for the federal investigation into his taxes and illegal gun ownership. But while Hunter Biden and Democrats may be welcome to apply, it remains unclear who will actually be approved by the obscure five-member review panel. The Trump administration is still trying hard to signal to pardon defendants and beleaguered allies of the president that they can calmly prepare their applications — even if they were convicted of violent crimes.
At a press conference Tuesday, Vice President JD Vance complained that Jan. 6 defendants and Trump supporters “never get an ounce of compassion when it comes to disproportionate sentences,” and left open whether payments could also go to those who attacked police officers on Jan. 6.
Tarrio’s plans for the fund
Enrique Tarrio — former Proud Boys leader sentenced to 22 years in prison for rioting — tells ROLLING STONE that the fund for many of Trump’s Jan. 6 pardons could replace a class-action lawsuit filed in March by defendants against the federal government. Tarrio values the lawsuit at $100 million, but says compensatory and punitive damages combined would be closer to $250 million.
“We sought compensation for what we went through,” said Tarrio, who was pardoned by Trump last year. “I think it’s a good thing. I think it’s a great thing, and I think it brings some justice.”
Tarrio added that while he believes the people who attacked hundreds of police officers during the storm were rightly charged, they should also receive payments from the fund “because of the circumstances” of their prosecution and conviction.
Money for election campaigns and organizations
“I think the left actually has reason to be concerned — but not for the reason they think they are,” Tarrio said of the potential payouts, which could potentially run into the millions. “Many of these people will want to use the money to start organizations. Some will want to use it to run for local office – and some will use it for their current campaign, depending on how quickly this whole thing happens.”
At least two convicted Jan. 6 defendants are currently running in this year’s midterm elections. In Florida, former model John Strand – convicted of breaching the Capitol on January 6th – is running as the Republican candidate in the state’s 19th congressional district. Adam Johnson, aka the “Lectern Man” who was photographed holding Nancy Pelosi’s lectern during the storming of the Capitol, is running for a seat on the Manatee County Commission in Florida – after serving 75 days for trespassing at the Capitol. Both were pardoned by Trump.
It’s not just Jan. 6 participants who are eyeing a possible windfall. Trump ally Mike Lindell said on multiple networks that he plans to apply to the fund, citing alleged $400 million losses to his company My Pillow as a result of a series of civil lawsuits and federal investigations into his conduct surrounding the 2020 election. Trump-affiliated cable channel One America News told CNN it is “seriously considering asserting rights under this fund” to recover funds raised through defamation lawsuits related to the distribution of Conspiracy theories about the 2020 election were lost. Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, told NBC News that he is considering seeking compensation from the Justice Department for his convictions for tax evasion and perjury before Congress.
Lawsuits and resistance in Congress
But before any checks are issued, the fund must survive the parliamentary and legal challenges coming its way. On Wednesday, Washington police officers who were attacked on Jan. 6 sued the Trump administration to block the creation of the fund.
“Why pay people who attacked the police at the United States Capitol and who tried to prevent the peaceful transfer of power?” asked DC Police Officer Daniel Hodges on NPR. “Why pay people who wanted to assassinate the vice president? The list goes on and on. It doesn’t make sense.”
Lawmakers in the Capitol also appear to be of the opinion that the structure and purpose of the fund make no sense – including large parts of the Republican Party. According to Punchbowl News, Republican lawmakers expressed deep frustration with Blanche and the administration at a two-hour confidential meeting on Thursday.
Criticism from within our own ranks
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters Wednesday he was “not a big fan” of the slush fund, which was authorized by the administration without congressional appropriations. “We have many members who are obviously concerned – both about the timing and the content,” he added on Thursday.
His group colleagues became even clearer. “This will inevitably put us in a position where my tax dollars and your tax dollars could potentially compensate someone who assaulted a police officer, admitted guilt, was convicted, was pardoned – and now we’re supposed to pay them money for it?” said a stunned Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) in an interview with Spectrum News.
“I think that’s crazy to the power of three,” he added.
