President Donald Trump revealed on Tuesday in an interview with Newsmax’s Greg Kelly that he is contemplating the establishment of a compensation fund for the January 6 Capitol rioters whom he pardoned following their participation in the 2021 attack.
“I took care of them,” Trump emphasized. “I said I was going to, and I did.” Greg Kelly pressed further, asking specifically about financial assistance, stating, “Is there any talk — because they lost opportunity, income — any kind of compensation fund?” Trump responded affirmatively, noting ongoing discussions among his supporters and officials within the government regarding potential compensation.
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“Well, there’s talk about that, we have a lot of people talk about that, a lot of people that are in government now talk about it, because they — a lot of people in government really like that group of people,” Trump stated. “They were patriots as far as I was concerned. I talk about them a lot.”
The former president’s comments have ignited controversy due to the gravity of the charges faced by many of the pardoned individuals. Approximately 1,500 people involved in the Capitol attack received pardons, including several convicted of violent assaults against police officers. Trump’s administration further argued in legal proceedings that pardons should extend beyond charges directly tied to the Capitol riot, encompassing unrelated offenses such as illegal firearms charges.
Following their pardons, some recipients have since found themselves facing legal trouble again. One individual from Houston was re-arrested on charges relating to the online solicitation of a minor dating back to 2016. Another pardoned individual was fatally shot by law enforcement officers during an unrelated arrest attempt, occurring only days after receiving Trump’s pardon.
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This latest proposal to potentially establish a compensation fund for pardoned rioters has further fueled the debate around accountability and the former president’s ongoing support for those who participated in the unprecedented events at the Capitol. Critics argue the fund could be perceived as rewarding criminal behavior, while Trump’s advocates view it as necessary support for individuals they regard as patriotic.
As discussions continue, the suggestion of such a fund raises broader questions about the implications for legal precedent, public opinion, and the ongoing narrative surrounding the events of January 6.
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