Hundreds of defendants charged in connection with the January 6th Capitol assault are preparing to seek compensation from a new US government fund.

<img alt="A crowd of people hold flags." height="349" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/5a5d837f-b08f-4510-8305-3e05021d848d,1779474182305/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C366%2C7000%2C3937%29%3BResize%3D%28620%29" title="WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 6: Pro-Trump protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Trump supporters gathered in the nation&apos;s capital to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden&apos;s Electoral College vic...