Judge Halts $1.776 Billion Fund for January 6 Defendants

The Justice Department will not move forward with its proposed $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund after a court blocked the measure. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche informed Congress on Tuesday that the department was dropping the fund.

The administration had previously said it would abide by the court order blocking the fund. Republican senators sought explicit assurance that the fund would be permanently dropped. Some senators threatened to hold up amendments to a party-line funding bill for immigration enforcement.

Officials described the fund as important for individuals affected by prior investigations. In response to questions about the fund's status, President Trump said, “I’d have to ask the lawyers. I don’t know.”

A recent Economist/YouGov poll showed the funding is unpopular with the American public, including among Republicans. The fund has drawn opposition on Capitol Hill over concerns that taxpayer money could go to Jan. 6, 2021, rioters.