Trump opponents eye claims from DOJ's $1.8 billion anti‑instrumentalization fund

The U.S. Department of Justice announced a $1.8 billion “anti‑instrumentalization of the Justice” fund, intended to compensate individuals who say they were targeted by the Trump administration. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the fund is meant to “correct past errors,” and it was created as part of the settlement of former President Donald Trump’s $10 billion civil lawsuit against the IRS.

Former prosecutors from the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, dismissed federal employees, journalists, six Democratic lawmakers, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe have said they may submit claims. Cohen told CBS News, “If the fund … really exists to support people whose lives were destroyed by politically motivated law‑enforcement tactics, then maybe there is no clearer example than what happened to me.” McCabe’s attorney called the fund “crazy, ridiculous and illegal.” Critics argue the fund is corrupt and could legitimize politically driven payouts.