A Republican lawyer closely associated with Ed Martin, the U.S. pardon attorney, has taken steps to join a committee that will allocate over $1.7 billion to individuals claiming to be victims of alleged governmental overreach. This information comes from a letter obtained by CBS News. On Wednesday, attorney Mike Howell expressed his intention to act in one of the five commission roles managing the anti-weaponization fund, according to his letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Blanche holds the responsibility for appointing the members of this commission, as stated in a recent memo he signed.
The fund was introduced following a $10 billion lawsuit President Trump filed against the Internal Revenue Service due to the unauthorized disclosure of his tax returns. Howell highlighted his extensive experience, including presenting cases to the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and appearing in national media to discuss issues of federal law enforcement targeting individuals for their political beliefs, faith, or constitutionally protected rights. Howell emphasized his sustained commitment to these issues.
If chosen for the position, Howell would wield significant influence over the disbursement of payments to claimants. The fund is expected to function until the end of 2028. Howell, who advocated for pardons under Ed Martin’s partnership, helped manage Martin’s confirmation process as U.S. attorney for D.C., though Martin did not ultimately secure the position.
Currently, Howell leads the Oversight Project and functions as a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation’s border security and immigration center. He regards the anti-weaponization fund as a milestone facilitated by President Trump and Todd Blanche. The Justice Department has yet to address requests for comment on this matter.
Howell’s submission marks the initial bid to serve on the commission. Previously, Michael Caputo, a past Trump adviser, sought compensation, claiming FBI targeting during the 2016 election investigation. The criteria for fund eligibility encompass the comprehensive context of claims, as outlined in the DOJ settlement. While officially devoid of partisan prerequisites, DOJ’s press release noted potential applications from Capitol riot defendants and others allied with MAGA.
In his communication to Blanche, Howell pledged to organize a national assembly for the victims of alleged weaponization if he is appointed to the panel. He specified this event would provide a platform for those affected, including supporters of President Trump facing legal repercussions, and January 6th, 2021 participants, to share their experiences.