Ex-prosecutor says Todd Blanche's anti-slush fund claim is a sham

During a Thursday interview, former federal prosecutor Ankush Khardori challenged three Republican senators who had taken Todd Blanche’s remarks at face value that a proposed $1.8 billion “slush fund” for Jan. 6 defendants would not be created. Khardori pointed out that the Justice Department already settles such claims through the Federal Tort Claims Act, allowing the administration to make one-to-one payments without court oversight or public notice.

He said the existing mechanism makes Blanche’s pledge unnecessary and predictable. The senators—John Cornell, Bill Cassidy and Thom Tillis—had previously criticized Donald Trump’s push for the fund. Khardori described their acceptance of Blanche’s statement as being “made absolute fools of.” Experts cited noted that the DOJ has unchecked discretion over these settlements, effectively giving the administration a tool to reward convicted participants in the Capitol attack.