Amid contentious debate, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended a $1.776 billion fund that allows people who feel politically targeted to apply for payments.
WASHINGTON — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Tuesday did not rule out the possibility of someone committing violence in the course of justice. Riots at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 Will consider new payments $1.776 billion fund to pay individuals They see themselves as political targets.
When Branch was asked during a congressional hearing whether people who attack police officers would be eligible for compensation from the Anti-Weaponization Fund, she responded that everyone could apply if “they believe they were a victim of weaponization.” The acting attorney general also declined to say whether he would direct those responsible for deciding who receives payments — the committee whose members he appoints — to limit funds to those convicted of violent crimes.
“I will work to ensure that the commissioners do their jobs effectively, and that includes developing the guidelines you described,” Branch told Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore. Decisions on spending will be made by a five-member committee appointed by the attorney general.
the president in his Pardoned or commuted sentence on first day back in office Sentencing of supporters of the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riots.
appeared in Congress for the first time since take over the Ministry of Justice Last month, Branch received questions about a fund announced Monday to compensate people who believe they were mistreated by the previous administration’s Justice Department. Branch said the fund was “unusual” but not unprecedented, adding that beneficiaries would not be limited to Republicans or people investigated or prosecuted by the Biden administration. Branch said at one point that President Joe Biden’s son Hunter — who faces Guns and tax prosecutions under the administration of his father—can also apply.
Democrats described it as an illegal abuse of power aimed at lining the pockets of Trump supporters with taxpayer dollars. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee, who chaired the hearing, condemned the move as “pure theft of public funds.”
“Rewarding individuals for committing crimes is obscene,” the Maryland Democrat said. “Every American can see through this illegal, corrupt, self-dealing scheme.”
Merrick Garland, who served as attorney general during the Biden administration, has repeatedly denied accusations of politicization and said he bases his decisions on facts, evidence and the law.
Under questioning from Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Branch said he would “certainly encourage the committees” responsible for deciding spending to “take everything into account.” But when asked if he thought those convicted of violent crimes should be entitled to compensation, Branch said: “It doesn’t matter how I feel.”
When Merkley suggested that Trump used the Justice Department to target his political opponents, Branch responded that this was exactly the kind of “abhorrent” behavior from the Biden administration that the fund was designed to address.
“This is completely inappropriate and wrong,” Merkley said. “There is no comparison between the last administration’s absolutely impartial pursuit of justice and this administration’s pursuit of the enemy list.”
Questions about the meaning of “weaponization”
In announcing the fund on Monday, the Trump administration did not name specific individuals who might benefit from it. The money itself would come from the federal judgment fund, which is used to pay court judgments and reach compromise settlements in lawsuits against the government.
Branch told lawmakers the Justice Department is committed to “complete transparency” in providing public information about beneficiaries of the new funds.
“It’s not limited to Republicans. It’s not limited to Democrats. It’s not limited to the January 6 defendants. It’s limited only by the word weaponized,” Branch said, although the administration has not said how it would define “weaponized.”
Meanwhile, even some congressional Republicans are uneasy about the fund. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters that he was “not a big fan of it,” adding that he wasn’t sure how the administration intended to use it but “didn’t think it served a purpose.”
Associated Press reporter Mary Claire Jalonick in Washington contributed to this report.
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