WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former Trump critics including Michael Cohen, James Comey, and Andrew McCabe are considering seeking compensation from a new $1.8 billion Justice Department fund created to address alleged political weaponization of the justice system. The fund was announced as part of a settlement in a $10 billion civil lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns.

Michael Cohen said in an interview that if the fund against the weaponization of justice exists to support people “whose lives were destroyed by politically motivated law enforcement tactics, selective prosecutions, government leaks, abuses of power and intentional destruction of reputations, then perhaps there is no clearer example than what happened to me.” He added, “I suppose I would be a test case.”

Former FBI Director James Comey told CNN’s Jake Tapper the fund appears designed for people like him. “It’s to compensate people who, they say, were persecuted by the Department of Justice for personal, political or ideological reasons,” Comey said. “So I guess I’d be in line. It certainly seems designed for someone like me.”

Andrew McCabe is “seriously considering” filing a claim, according to his attorney Michael Bromwich. Bromwich called the fund “discretionary, insane, ridiculous and illegal,” but added, “If they’re actually going to give money to people who suffered from the alleged weaponization of justice, Andy McCabe should be at the front of the line.” Bromwich also stated that political weaponization occurred during Trump’s first administration and “they’ve taken it to a whole new level in the second.”

Some former Justice Department officials who worked on the January 6 Capitol riot cases are debating whether to submit claims. A former federal prosecutor told CNN that internal group chats among ex-colleagues are filled with discussions about whether to apply. Some view filing a claim as a form of protest against what they consider a partisan system, while others worry that participating would legitimize a fund they see as fundamentally flawed.

Six Democratic lawmakers who faced legal scrutiny after urging military members to disobey unlawful orders have also discussed applying, according to a source familiar with the matter. The Justice Department has stated in a memo that “there is no partisan restriction: Democrats may also file claims.” However, some Democrats say they would not accept taxpayer money from a program they believe should not exist.