The Justice Department has filed a motion to dismiss a class-action lawsuit brought by Jan. 6 defendants under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). The defendants alleged injury from excessive police force during the events of January 6, 2021. However, the department argues the lawsuit was filed after the statute of limitations had expired.
According to the Justice Department’s filing, the claims are deemed ‘forever barred’ as the administrative claims were not submitted on time. Under the FTCA, individuals have two years to file such lawsuits against the federal government. Plaintiffs reported their injuries from police actions on January 6, giving them until January 6, 2023, to initiate legal proceedings.
The department highlighted the earliest claim from the named plaintiffs was dated July 29, 2025, which exceeds the allowed two-year filing period. Additionally, it was noted that some submitted forms were incomplete, lacking signatures and supporting documents.
The plaintiffs were aware of their injuries and identified the responsible parties, yet opted to delay filing claims until past the deadline.
On a related note, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche rescinded a $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund. This fund aimed to compensate allies of President Trump but does not explicitly bar future restitution or payouts for convicted Jan. 6 rioters.
A former Justice Department lawyer expressed that Blanche’s action to rescind the fund unilaterally bears no legal significance and does not prevent the fund’s potential revival.