Story perspectives

Trump Pushes $1.8B Jan 6 Support Fund Amid Legal Block

6/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump pushes a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund for Jan. 6 supporters despite Justice Department saying it is dead.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress the fund is stalled after a federal judge blocked it.
Senate Republicans rejected a ban on the fund, allowing a funding bill to pass without language preventing payouts.
Jan. 6 defendants have sued for over $1 million each, and settlements have paid $5 million to Ashli Babbitt’s relatives.

History

Historical Context

After the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, Congress passed the Victims of Terrorism Act, creating a $1.5 billion fund and the DOJ’s Office of Victims of Terrorism. This followed the 1987 Anti-Terrorism Act and preceded the 2001 September 11 Victim Compensation Fund, which ultimately disbursed about $7 billion under Kenneth Feinberg. The pattern informs today’s proposed $1.8 billion Jan. 6 relief effort.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump pushes a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund for Jan. 6 supporters despite Justice Department saying it is dead.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress the fund is stalled after a federal judge blocked it.
Senate Republicans rejected a ban on the fund, allowing a funding bill to pass without language preventing payouts.
Jan. 6 defendants have sued for over $1 million each, and settlements have paid $5 million to Ashli Babbitt’s relatives.

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