{"id":2604728,"date":"2026-05-19T20:55:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T00:55:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lawfare-compensation-fund-threatens-to-reopen-jan-6-debate-for-republicans\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T20:55:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T00:55:57","slug":"lawfare-compensation-fund-threatens-to-reopen-jan-6-debate-for-republicans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lawfare-compensation-fund-threatens-to-reopen-jan-6-debate-for-republicans\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawfare compensation fund threatens to reopen Jan. 6 debate for Republicans"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Flawfare-compensation-fund-threatens-to-reopen-jan-6-debate-for-republicans%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2604728&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Justice Department has announced a $1.776 billion fund-part of settlement terms involving President donald Trump, his sons, and the trump Organization-to compensate victims of \u201clawfare,\u201d a move Democrats say could re-ignite politically sensitive debates about Jan. 6 shortly before the midterm elections.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats argue the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/department-of-education-awards-taxpayer-dollars-to-program-training-teachers-in-critical-race-theory\/\" title=\"Department of Education Awards Taxpayer Dollars to ... Training Teachers in Critical Race Theory\">taxpayer-funded program<\/a> may end up benefiting Jan. 6 defendants, including peopel accused of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-admin-clearing-remaining-federal-charges-against-portland-rioters-most-get-probation-community-service\/\" title=\"Biden Admin Clearing Remaining Federal Charges Against Portland Rioters, Most Get Probation, Community Service\">assaulting police officers<\/a>, an issue Republicans have largely tried to move past. Critics also question the optics of public money flowing to Trump allies.<\/p>\n<p>The fund would be paid through DOJ\u2019s judgment fund (appropriated by Congress), with claims not processed after December 2028. Officials say no money would go directly to Trump or his family and that payment decisions would be made case-by-case based on whether someone was unfairly prosecuted. Some Republicans have expressed openness to the concept, arguing the government should compensate people harmed by abuse, though they want clarity and no secrecy over meritorious claims.<\/p>\n<p>Separately, the DOJ expanded the settlement to include language that it will not pursue claims against Trump, his family, or thier companies over certain unpaid taxes connected to tax returns filed before the agreement\u2019s effective date.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/justice-department\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"167\">Justice Department<\/a>\u2018s new $1.776 billion fund to compensate victims of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lawfare\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11776\">lawfare<\/a> is giving Democrats a fresh opportunity to drag Republicans back into politically fraught debates over Jan. 6 just months before the midterm elections.<\/p>\n<p>The DOJ announced the fund on Monday as part of its settlement with President Donald Trump, his sons <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/eric-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1042\">Eric<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump-jr\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11068\">Donald Jr.<\/a>, and the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-organization\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1392\">Trump Organization<\/a>, after they agreed to drop their $10 billion lawsuit against the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/internal-revenue-service\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2339\">Internal Revenue Service<\/a>. They sued the IRS in January after an IRS employee leaked their tax returns in 2019 and 2020.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4575185\/doj-third-state-inquiry-washington-housing-men-in-women-prisons\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DOJ opens third state investigation over Washington housing biological men in women\u2019s prisons<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4575281\/abigail-spanberger-veto-virginia-marijuana-market-bill\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Spanberger vetoes marijuana market bill<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4574112\/democrats-angry-theyre-not-getting-their-way-guy-benson\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Democrats are angry they\u2019re not getting their way: Guy Benson<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>But Democrats argue the taxpayer-funded program could compensate Jan. 6 defendants, including some charged with or convicted of assaulting police officers, reopening an issue Republicans have largely tried to move beyond ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a bad look for that money to end up in the pockets of Trump\u2019s friends and people who assaulted police officers,\u201d said Claremont McKenna College politics professor John Pitney. \u201cJust picture all the good things he could have done with that money, such as compensating <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jeffrey-epstein\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1860\">Jeffrey Epstein<\/a>\u2018s victims.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The anti-weaponization fund will be paid for by DOJ\u2019s judgment fund, which is appropriated by Congress to settle cases. Claims will not be processed after December 2028, one month before the end of Trump\u2019s second administration.\u00a0It remains to be seen if the fund will be challenged in court. <\/p>\n<p>Even Senate Majority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-thune\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"178\">John Thune <\/a>(R-SD) appeared uneasy with the arrangement as Republicans try to protect their narrow congressional majorities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not sure exactly how they intend to use it,\u201d Thune <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-backs-republican-covid-19-package-after-mcconnell-rejects-bipartisan-proposal\/\" title=\"... backs Republican COVID-19 package after McConnell rejects bipartisan proposal\">told reporters<\/a> Tuesday. \u201cBut yeah, I don\u2019t see a purpose for that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Vice President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jd-vance\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"7658\">JD Vance<\/a> spent much of Tuesday defending the program at the White House press briefing. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhy should taxpayers fund this? Whenever the United States government incurs legal expenses, it pays out those legal expenses,\u201d Vance told reporters. \u201cWhen it\u2019s settling a lawsuit, it pays out money to settle that lawsuit. And the question is, is $1 of this money going to the Trump administration? No. Is $1 of this money going to Donald Trump personally? No. Is $1 of this money going to Donald Trump\u2019s family? No.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Vance stressed no money would go directly to Trump or his family and dismissed Democratic claims the initiative amounted to a \u201cslush fund\u201d for Jan. 6 defendants.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re going to evaluate these things on a case-by-case basis, and if we think that somebody, whatever they were accused of, if we think that somebody was unfairly prosecuted and deserves just compensation, then that\u2019s what this fund is going to exist to provide,\u201d Vance said.<\/p>\n<p>Still, the fund has support from some Republicans who argue the government unfairly targeted Trump supporters and conservatives.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m open to the concept,\u201d Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-kennedy\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1442\">John Kennedy <\/a>(R-LA) told reporters. \u201cDoes the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >federal government abuse people<\/a> sometimes? Yeah, and those people should have recourse. I\u2019d like to know how this will supplement their recourse in the courts, but I\u2019m open to the concept.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ron-johnson\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2760\">Ron Johnson<\/a> (R-WI) similarly endorsed the fund, saying \u201cpeople who are harmed by government ought to be compensated by government,\u201d though he also thought successful claims ought to be made public.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think some of those people were grievously harmed by their quest, the jihad against them,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cWhere are all the convictions for all the riots in January the summer of 2020?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With six months until the midterm elections, Democrats hope to use the fund against Republicans.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4572477\/trump-continues-washington-makeover-despite-backlash\/\"><strong>\u2018UNELECTED MAYOR OF DC\u2019: TRUMP CONTINUES WASHINGTON MAKEOVER DESPITE BACKLASH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cTrump has already stuck taxpayers with the bill for his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/joe-biden-democrats-seek-625-billion-tax-cut-for-wealthy-coastal-elites\/\" title=\"Joe Biden, Democrats Seek 5 Billion Tax Cut for Wealthy Coastal Elites\">massive tax cuts<\/a> for the ultra-rich, his deadly and costly war with Iran, and his White House ballroom \u2014 and now he wants even more of their hard-earned money to give his allies and supporters another kickback,\u201d Democratic National Committee rapid response director Kendall Witmer told reporters.<\/p>\n<p>The Justice Department also announced on Tuesday it had expanded the settlement with Trump to include a provision that it would not pursue any claims against him, his family, or his companies over unpaid taxes regarding \u201creturns filed before the effective date\u201d of the agreement.<\/p>\n<p><em>David Sivak and Ramsey Touchberry contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DOJ\u2019s $1.776B \u201clawfare\u201d fund lets Democrats revive Jan. 6 fights as midterms near<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2652,"featured_media":2604729,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26139660833620.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[79959,34541,36978,16727,39203],"class_list":["post-2604728","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-compensation-fund","tag-election-strategy","tag-january-6","tag-lawfare","tag-republican-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26139660833620.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2604728","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2652"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2604728"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2604728\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2604732,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2604728\/revisions\/2604732"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2604729"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2604728"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2604728"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2604728"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}