Trump Signals Openness to Taxpayer Payouts for Jan. 6 Rioters, Drawing Bipartisan Criticism
President Trump told NBC News he would consider compensating Jan. 6 rioters through a Justice Department "anti-weaponization" fund, reversing his attorney general's recent assurance that the fund was dead. The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, with some GOP senators expressing concerns about fairness and the rule of law. The issue is likely to complicate the Senate confirmation process for Trump's attorney general nominee Todd Blanche.
During a "Meet the Press" interview, President Trump indicated he believes Jan. 6 rioters were unfairly targeted by prosecutors and deserve compensation, including potentially those convicted of assaulting police officers. This contradicted recent testimony from Trump's attorney general nominee Todd Blanche, who had assured lawmakers under oath that the controversial $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund was dead following GOP opposition. The statement has prompted bipartisan backlash: Republican senators including Josh Hawley and Bill Cassidy expressed concern that payouts to convicted rioters would undermine justice, while Democrat Adam Schiff announced plans to introduce legislation barring anyone convicted of Jan. 6-related offenses from receiving federal payouts. The controversy is expected to feature prominently in Blanche's Senate confirmation hearings, with some Republicans questioning whether he can serve as the nation's chief legal officer while maintaining his close ties to Trump.
What different sources said
- NBC PoliticsLeft
Some Republicans say Trump should close the door on paying out Jan. 6 rioters
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