Trump's $1.8 billion 'lawfare' fund is making Republicans nervous

"“There is no level below which these folks will not go,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I) said in an interview. “It is just disgusting, having come off Law Enforcement Week, to have set up a slush fund to pay off people who attack police officers.”"

"“I've got more questions than I've heard answers for, and ... I didn't hear anything that gave me certainty in terms of how this all comes together,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), after attending the hearing with Blanche. “Can the president just say $1.87 billion? ... I don't know enough about it to feel comfortable.”"

"Blanche said repeatedly it would be up to the “commissioners” to determine who would get financial compensation for being victimized by the government. He repeatedly said anyone - even President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, who was prosecuted and convicted on gun and tax charges before being pardoned by his father - could apply for compensation. But he also wouldn't rule out that Jan. 6 rioters convicted of assaulting police might qualify, a deeply sensitive issue for lawmakers who were at the Capitol that day."

"Vice President JD Vance, at a news conference later Tuesday afternoon, further confused the matter by saying “we're not trying to give money to anybody who attacked a police officer” but also that “we do have people who were accused of attacking law enforcement officers” and “we're going to evaluate these things on a case-by-case basis.”"

A DOJ slush fund intended to pay people who attack police officers prompted strong criticism and discomfort. Democrats condemned the arrangement as unacceptable, especially after Law Enforcement Week. Republicans pressed for clarity on how payouts would be administered and who could receive compensation. The DOJ official said compensation decisions would be made by “commissioners” and that anyone could apply, including individuals connected to high-profile cases. He also indicated that convicted Jan. 6 rioters who assaulted police might qualify, raising major concerns for lawmakers. Later, the vice president said money would not go to those who attacked police, while also stating that accused attackers could be evaluated case by case, leaving eligibility unclear.

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