Five years after the unprecedented U.S. Capitol attack, some Senate Democrats are stepping forward with new legislation designed to prevent taxpayer money from being awarded to individuals convicted of, and subsequently pardoned for, their roles in the riot. This initiative seeks to ensure that those who engaged in violence on January 6, 2021, do not benefit financially from their actions.
Among the newly introduced bills is one that would explicitly outlaw the establishment of any compensation fund for January 6 rioters. Another significant piece of legislation, titled the No Settlements for January 6 Law Enforcement Assaulters Act, aims to prohibit the use of federal tax dollars for civil legal settlements involving defendants convicted of assaulting law enforcement during the riot. This act is co-sponsored by Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat from California who serves as the vice-chair of the Senate Rules Committee, which oversees the Capitol grounds and the U.S. Capitol Police.
Also backing the legislation is Senator Sheldon Whitehouse from Rhode Island, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. These lawmakers are taking a strong stance against any financial incentives that could reward those who participated in the violent insurrection.
There has been a growing movement among some supporters of January 6 defendants advocating for a reparations fund to reimburse individuals for their legal costs and other expenses incurred as a result of their participation in the riot. Prominent attorney Mark McCloskey has been vocal about this initiative, using his social media platforms to promote the cause. In an August post, he declared, “To all the J6 political prisoners out there - I'm doing everything I can to expedite the establishment of a claims resolution procedure so we can get you back on your feet and get you some real justice.” His comments reflect a commitment to fight for the financial rights of those convicted in connection with the January 6 events.
It is worth noting that the Trump administration previously approved at least one civil settlement related to the January 6 incident. The Justice Department granted approximately $5 million to the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was shot and killed by a Capitol Police officer while attempting to breach a secured area of the Capitol. However, it remains unclear whether the administration is considering additional financial settlements for other January 6 rioters.
In response to the potential for January 6 reparations, former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn expressed strong disapproval, stating, “This reeks of audacity. Not only did they get a pardon, but they are also saying they deserve a payday for the crimes they committed.” His comments highlight the growing frustration among law enforcement and lawmakers regarding the actions of convicted rioters.
Senator Padilla emphasized that the legislation is intended to hold rioters accountable for their actions and safeguard taxpayer interests. He remarked, “These insurrectionists should still be serving their sentences and paying fines for damages they caused to the Capitol—not receiving refunds or cash rewards from the Trump Administration.”
Senator Whitehouse echoed this sentiment, asserting that the January 6 attack constituted an assault on democracy and that the pardons issued by Trump were an affront to law enforcement officers who risked their lives to protect the nation. He stated, “No matter how Trump's MAGA goons now try to twist it, the January 6 attack on our Capitol was an assault on our democracy.”