President Donald Trump isn’t ruling out paying money to the January 6th rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol in 2021, including those who pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers.
Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press”, Trump continued to give his support to the so-called “Anti-Weaponization Fund” that would pay those whom he claims were allegedly unfairly targeted under the Biden administration.
“So me, personally, I think the weaponization fund is a great idea, and so do many other Republicans. You have to get it approved. If they get it approved, that’s great. If they don’t get it approved, I’d be disappointed,” Trump told NBC’s Kristen Welker during the interview, which was taped Friday in Wisconsin.
Welker asked if those who attacked police officers that day should get a payout with taxpayer funds. Trump said: “I wouldn’t be inclined to say so, but I have to see it.”
1,580 people were charged criminally in federal court in connection with Jan. 6, according to the Department of Justice. More than 1,000 pleaded guilty.
Trump ranted about the alleged voter fraud once again, calling the 2020 presidential election “dirty” and seguing to last Tuesday’s elections in California, where votes were still being tallied as of this writing. Without evidence, he cast doubt on the state’s election results as a federal prosecutor announced Friday that “multiple election fraud investigations” were underway in the state.
Under California’s vote-by-mail system, ballots postmarked on or before Election Day and received within seven days after the election are eligible to be counted, according to state laws.
When Trump said that “they’re cheating on the election,” Welker asked what evidence he had supporting that claim.
“All I have to do is look,” he answered.
Last week, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing that the administration would not go forward with the fund.
Trump stormed off, ending the interview after he became visibly frustrated during a back-and-forth over election interference and his criticism of the press.
“Let’s call it quits, because I’ve had enough. Thank you, darling. Have a good time,” Trump said as he stood up. “I sat in the rain with you for an hour, on and off in the rain, and I’ve given you enough time,” Trump said after Welker pleaded with him to resume the interview.
