Former Vice President Mike Pence has strongly condemned the Trump administration's proposed $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund," describing it as "unacceptable" and "deeply offensive" that January 6 rioters could receive taxpayer money. Pence, who was a target of the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, made his remarks during interviews on CBS News' Face The Nation and NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday.
Pence's Strong Condemnation
"The idea of creating a fund that could compensate people who assaulted police officers and vandalized the Capitol that day is totally unacceptable," Pence, 66, told CBS. He added on NBC: "It's deeply offensive to me." Pence emphasized that those who attacked law enforcement and damaged the Capitol should not receive "one dime of taxpayer money from that fund or anywhere else."
The former vice president has consistently criticized both President Donald Trump and the rioters. On January 6, 2021, rioters chanted "Hang Mike Pence," wrongly believing he had the authority to overturn the election results. Pence reiterated his stance: "I'll never minimize what happened on January 6, and I'll always believe, by God's grace, we did our duty that day to see to the peaceful transfer of power under the Constitution."
Bipartisan Backlash
Pence joins a growing chorus of Republicans opposing the fund. GOP lawmakers such as Senators Mitch McConnell and Thom Tillis have sided with Democrats in rejecting the use of taxpayer money for the president's allies, particularly January 6 rioters whom Trump pardoned last year. Representative Mike Flood of Nebraska told constituents he disagrees with the fund, stating, "I want to be very clear, I do not think we should be creating any fund for people who commit physical violence against law enforcement." His comments drew applause.
Other Republicans have privately urged the administration to abandon the fund, warning it could harm the party's prospects in the upcoming midterm elections. During a closed-door meeting with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, dozens of GOP lawmakers reportedly expressed their anger, as revealed by Senator Ted Cruz on his podcast.
Justice Department's Justification
The Justice Department defends the "Anti-Weaponization Fund" as a nonpartisan mechanism allowing anyone who believes they were wrongly prosecuted to seek monetary relief. The fund emerged as a settlement option in a lawsuit brought by Trump, his adult sons, and his business against the IRS over leaked tax returns. The DOJ insists that neither the president nor his sons would be eligible for payments from the fund if approved.
Despite these assurances, critics remain unconvinced. Pence's vocal opposition underscores the deep divisions within the Republican Party over the January 6 attack and its aftermath.
