Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) strongly criticized President Donald Trump's newly announced Anti-Weaponization Fund, describing it as a "white supremacist reparations fund" during an appearance on "The Dean Obeidallah Show" on Tuesday.
The Justice Department unveiled the fund on Monday, stating it would establish "a systematic process to hear and redress claims of others who suffered weaponization and lawfare." This announcement follows Trump's settlement of a $10 billion private lawsuit against his own administration, for which he will not receive compensation.
Fund Likely to Benefit Jan. 6 Pardoned Individuals
The fund is expected to primarily benefit individuals pardoned by Trump for charges related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. When asked if those who assaulted Capitol Police officers would be eligible, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche responded, "Anybody in this country is eligible to apply if they believe they are a victim of weaponization."
Johnson argued that there is no evidence of Justice Department weaponization against these individuals. "They were persecuted for committing treasonous acts at the United States Capitol, which we all saw with our very eyes," he said. "We can't remove those images, and so, you know, this slush fund is an unprecedented abuse of presidential authority."
Congressman Questions Legality of Fund
Johnson contended that Trump lacks the authority to authorize the funding or use taxpayer money not appropriated by Congress for this purpose. "This is nothing more than just a reparations fund for white supremacists," he added.
According to Citizens for Ethics, at least 33 individuals pardoned by Trump for Jan. 6 offenses have been rearrested on other charges, including six facing child sex crime allegations. "These people are the worst of the worst, and now they're going to get paid American taxpayers' money doled out to them by Todd Blanche, the lawyer for Donald Trump," Johnson said. He called the fund an "unlawful act" and indicated that lawmakers will attempt to block it.
