Donald Trump's administration announced the creation of a $1.7 billion fund, called the Anti-Militarization Fund, intended to compensate people who claim to have been politically persecuted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) during the Joe Biden administration.

The announcement once again placed the president at the center of the controversy, after he indirectly defended the program and uttered a phrase that sparked criticism inside and outside Congress, amid questions about the possible use of public resources to benefit political allies and people investigated for the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

During a press conference, a journalist questioned President Donald Trump about why American taxpayers should bear the consequences related to the events of January 6, 2021.

In response, the president said that the fund has been “very well received,” although he stated that he had not participated directly in its creation or in the negotiations of the agreement.

"I know very little about it. I did not participate in its creation or in the negotiation," he declared. However, he defended the program by noting that it seeks to compensate people who, according to him, were “treated horribly” by authorities during judicial proceedings. “It is a measure against the militarization of weapons,” Trump said.

The president also maintained that several defendants faced devastating economic and personal consequences as a result of the investigations and criminal proceedings against them. "In some cases, they have been wrongfully imprisoned. They paid legal fees they did not have. They have gone bankrupt. Their lives have been destroyed," he said.

Trump insisted that many of those people “were right” and called the period “a terrible moment in the history of our country.” Additionally, he praised the DOJ's work around the program: “I know the Department of Justice has really been working very hard on it.”

While Trump made clear his stance on those involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol assault, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced strong questioning in the Senate during his appearance on the controversial funding increase for the DOJ and the new anti-militarization program.

Blanche, Trump's former personal lawyer, avoided committing to preventing the president's campaign donors or people convicted of assaulting police officers from accessing the compensation fund. “I am not committed to anything beyond the extrajudicial agreement itself,” he responded when asked about possible restrictions.

Democratic Senator Chris Coons asked directly whether he would ensure that no one convicted of attacking officers on January 6 received any compensation. Blanche responded that “anyone can apply” and assured that the program commissioners will be the ones to establish the eligibility rules.

Tension increased when Senator Chris Van Hollen mentioned the case of a person pardoned by Trump who, he said, continued to sexually abuse minors and tried to buy their silence by promising them money from the fund.

When asked whether that individual could be excluded, Blanche responded: “You are obviously lying in your question.” Van Hollen replied: “I'm reporting what he said.”