Two U.S. Capitol Police officers who defended the Capitol during the January 6, 2021 riot have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block a Trump administration compensation fund worth nearly $1.8 billion, arguing that the program violates federal law and could legitimize political violence.
The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday by officers Harry Dunn and Daniel Hodges, who were among the officers attacked during the riot as supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol in an effort to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.
According to court documents, the officers are asking a federal judge to stop the administration from distributing money through a compensation program intended for people who claim they were victims of what the White House has described as a “weaponized” justice system.
Officers challenge legality of fund
The Trump administration announced the compensation initiative as part of a broader review of prosecutions tied to politically sensitive cases, including some related to the January 6 attack.
However, Dunn and Hodges argue that the program exceeds executive authority and improperly uses taxpayer money to compensate individuals who may have participated in the Capitol riot.
“The fund violates federal law and would legitimize political violence,” the lawsuit states, according to reporting by The Washington Post.
The officers claim the program undermines the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers who responded to the attack and weakens public trust in the justice system.
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More than 100 police officers were injured during the January 6 riot, according to congressional investigations conducted after the attack.
Video footage and testimony presented during hearings showed officers being beaten, crushed in doorways, and sprayed with chemical irritants as rioters forced their way into the Capitol building.
Dunn and Hodges later became key witnesses during congressional hearings examining the events of that day. Both officers publicly described the violence they experienced while trying to defend lawmakers and staff inside the Capitol.
Trump administration defends review effort
The Trump administration has defended the compensation fund as an effort to address what it says were unfair prosecutions and politically motivated investigations.
Administration officials argue that some defendants in January 6 cases and other politically sensitive cases faced excessive punishment or selective enforcement by federal authorities.
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Supporters of the initiative say the review process is intended to restore confidence in the justice system by examining whether some prosecutions were handled improperly.
Political and legal implications
The case is expected to draw national attention because it directly challenges one of the Trump administration’s most controversial post-January 6 initiatives.
If the court sides with the officers, the administration could be forced to suspend or redesign the compensation program. A ruling against the administration may also limit future efforts by presidents to create large compensation funds without congressional approval.
At the same time, a decision allowing the program to proceed could deepen political disputes over accountability for the Capitol riot and the treatment of people charged in connection with the attack.
The lawsuit comes as Trump and his allies continue to argue that federal agencies unfairly targeted many of his supporters following the events of January 6.
