Trump Says He May Consider Payments to Jan. 6 Defendants, Raises Election Fraud Claims
In an interview, former President Donald Trump said he has not ruled out compensating individuals charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and reiterated unsubstantiated allegations of election irregularities in California.
Former President Donald Trump told NBC’s "Meet the Press" that he has not decided whether people charged with assaulting police during the Jan. 6 Capitol breach should receive payments from the administration’s so‑called “anti‑weaponization” fund, adding that he would need to review the matter.
When moderator Kristen Welker asked if taxpayers should fund such payouts, Trump replied, "I wouldn’t be inclined to say so, but I have to see it."
Trump also described the 2020 presidential election as "dirty" and suggested that recent California elections were being delayed because of alleged fraud. He referenced a federal prosecutor’s social‑media post about ongoing investigations and said, "All I have to do is look," when asked for evidence.
The former president defended the fund, which was created after a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service, stating that if it were up to him, he would compensate those he believes were unfairly prosecuted. He claimed that many defendants have suffered severe personal consequences, including job loss and suicide, as a result of what he termed "weaponization" of the government.
The fund’s status remains uncertain after a federal judge temporarily blocked it pending litigation, and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told lawmakers the administration is not proceeding with the program. When pressed for an update, Trump said he would need to consult his lawyers.
The Jan. 6 attack resulted in charges against roughly 1,600 participants, with more than 140 law‑enforcement officers injured. The Biden administration has sentenced over 1,100 defendants, and Trump previously issued pardons for about 1,500 individuals involved in the riot.
"If it was up to me, I’d pay them the kind of money that they deserve," Trump said during the interview.
"All I have to do is look," he added when questioned about evidence of election fraud.
The interview, conducted in a barn during a rainstorm, lasted about 50 minutes and included several technical interruptions.