Donald Trump pushes $1.8 billion Jan. 6 payout fund despite congressional opposition

President Donald Trump has repeatedly called for a $1.8 billion “anti‑weaponization” fund to compensate individuals he says were wrongly targeted for their role in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. He told NBC’s Meet the Press that he would be “disappointed” if Republicans fail to approve the payouts, arguing that many of the rioters have suffered suicides, job loss and other harms.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testified that the fund is not moving forward, and congressional leaders debated its inclusion in the budget reconciliation package. The Senate ultimately passed the reconciliation bill without language funding the payouts, while Republican Sen. Thom Tillis’s attempt to block the fund failed. Some House Republicans, including Brian Fitzpatrick, have signaled interest in bringing a vote on the measure, but former Senate leader Mitch McConnell denounced the proposal as “utterly stupid.”

No legislation has yet provided the requested payments, and the proposal remains a point of contention within the Republican caucus and between the party and the Biden administration.