Jan. 6 rioters seek payouts from Trump’s nearly $1.8 billion fund despite legal challenges

David Johnston, a former licensed attorney who pleaded guilty to illegally entering the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is now pivoting to a new role: consultant for his fellow rioters. More than five years after the attack, Johnston is offering to help others file for payouts from the Trump administration's massive $1.8 billion fund, which was established to compensate those claiming to be victims of a weaponized government.

Johnston is charging a 10% commission on any successful awards, with his fee capped at $5,000 per case. In a recent social media video, he suggested the political climate regarding that day is shifting, telling his followers, "I think good things are happening for us."

A push for compensation

While hundreds of loyalists previously admitted under oath that they broke the law during the Capitol breach, many are now seeking to leverage the $1.776 billion settlement fund. These individuals, some of whom have been pardoned by Trump, view the fund as a way to recoup losses they feel resulted from political prosecution.

RELATED: Trump pardoned these 22 Alabamians for their actions on Jan. 6

The effort faces significant headwinds, including bipartisan backlash and a legal roadblock that has currently frozen the fund’s operation. Critics, including those who view the fund as an attempt to whitewash the events of Jan. 6, argue it merely serves as a reward system for the president's inner circle.

Mixed reactions from rioters

Not all participants are eager to claim the money. Jason Riddle, a veteran who served 90 days in jail for his role in the riot, publicly rejected the idea of compensation, stating it would be "ridiculous" to accept government funds for criminal actions. "We were persecuted for committing criminal behavior in the Capitol of the United States," he said.

Conversely, many others are lining up. Some rioters are seeking compensation for costs related to their notoriety, such as a Florida man who photographed himself at then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s podium. Another, described in court documents as a Nazi sympathizer, viewed the fund as a victory for "victims of weaponization." A Texas man who served a seven-year prison sentence labeled the potential payout as "payback" against the Biden administration.

Oregon resident Pamela Hemphill, who served 60 days for her conviction, has submitted a claim for $5 million—but she blames Trump, not the government, for her circumstances. "I wouldn’t have been through all of this if Trump hadn’t lied about the election being stolen," she said.

The path forward remains uncertain

It remains unclear if those convicted of riot-related crimes can legally qualify for funds created to resolve Trump's lawsuit against the IRS. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has not officially closed the door, noting that five yet-to-be-named commissioners will determine eligibility based on specific case facts.

With approximately 1,600 people having faced charges, the scope of the claims is broad. As the situation remains in flux, with Congress considering spending parameters and a federal judge blocking current activity, some figures like Meshawn Maddock—a former fake elector—are already planning their own claims, stating plainly, "I want vengeance and I want retribution."