Pence Jan 6 Rioters Who Attacked Police Should ‘Never Get A Dime

Pence: Jan 6 Rioters Who Attacked Police Should ‘Never Get A Dime

Former Vice President Mike Pence has launched a fresh attack on President Donald Trump's handling of the January 6 Capitol riot, insisting that violent rioters should never have been pardoned and should receive no taxpayer-funded compensation.

Speaking on HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher", Pence drew a sharp distinction between protesters who were simply caught up in events and those who assaulted police officers or attempted to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election.

"I had no problem with the president pardoning people who got caught up in that day," Pence said.

"But for anyone who assaulted a police officer, anybody that violated and vandalized the seat of our government and sought to disrupt the counting of electoral college votes, those people never should have been pardoned and they should never get a dime."

Fresh Rift With Trump

The remarks represent the latest public break between Pence and Trump over the events of January 6, 2021.

During the attack on the US Capitol, rioters chanted "Hang Mike Pence" after the then-vice president refused demands to block certification of Joe Biden's election victory.

Trump later issued sweeping pardons for January 6 defendants on his first day back in office, including individuals convicted of assaulting police officers.

The president has defended the pardons by arguing many defendants were unfairly treated by prosecutors and the justice system.

Compensation Row

Pence's comments also come amid controversy surrounding a proposed $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" compensation fund.

The scheme was originally linked to a settlement involving Trump and the Internal Revenue Service and was intended to compensate people who believed they had been unfairly targeted by federal agencies.

However, the proposal faced fierce bipartisan criticism amid concerns that January 6 defendants could ultimately benefit from the fund.

The administration has since abandoned the plan.

Police Officers Fought Back

Two law enforcement officers injured during the Capitol riot launched legal action seeking to block any potential payouts to January 6 participants.

They argued that individuals involved in violence against police should not receive taxpayer-funded compensation.

Pence appeared to agree, making clear that anyone responsible for attacking officers or vandalising the Capitol should face the consequences of their actions.

‘Don't Rewrite History’

The former vice president also warned against attempts to rewrite the events of January 6.

Pence said he was particularly angered by a White House timeline released on a recent anniversary of the riot which he claimed shifted blame onto Capitol Police.

"I've certainly seen evidence of that," Pence said.

"I was offended on the anniversary of January 6 when the White House put out a timeline that literally blamed Capitol Hill police for the riot that took place that day."

The comments underline how January 6 continues to divide Republicans more than five years after the attack, with Pence remaining one of the highest-profile conservative voices willing to publicly challenge Trump's version of events.

SOURCE