Pence Comes Back To Haunt Trump

Former Vice President Mike Pence is urging the Trump administration to abandon its controversial “anti-weaponization” compensation fund, calling the program a mistake and warning it could benefit people connected to the January 6 Capitol riot.

Appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Pence criticized the Justice Department initiative and said the administration should scrap the program entirely.

According to Pence, the fund is fundamentally flawed and sends the wrong message, particularly if individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol become eligible for compensation.

He said he finds the idea deeply troubling and argued that taxpayers should not be placed in a position where federal money could potentially go to people convicted of assaulting police officers or damaging government property during the riot.

Pence suggested that opposition to the fund extends beyond political lines and reflects concerns shared by many Republicans and independent voters.

His comments came shortly after a federal judge temporarily blocked the government from distributing money through the program while legal challenges move forward.

The Justice Department created the nearly $2 billion fund as part of a settlement related to a lawsuit President Donald Trump filed against the Internal Revenue Service. Under the plan, individuals who believe they were unfairly targeted or harmed by federal actions could seek compensation and, in some cases, receive formal apologies from the government.

One of the most controversial aspects of the fund is the possibility that some high-profile figures associated with January 6 could apply for payments.

Among those reportedly interested is Enrique Tarrio, the former Proud Boys leader who was serving a lengthy prison sentence connected to the Capitol riot before being released in early 2025.

Pence’s criticism marks another public split between him and President Donald Trump, whose relationship has remained strained since the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.

The two men, once close political allies, have frequently clashed over Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. Their relationship deteriorated after Trump pressured Pence to reject the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory during the congressional proceedings on January 6, 2021.

Pence ultimately refused, saying he lacked the constitutional authority to overturn the election outcome.

Although Pence has continued to support many conservative policies championed by Trump, he has increasingly voiced concerns when he believes the administration has crossed legal or constitutional lines.

His latest criticism adds to growing debate over whether the anti-weaponization fund represents accountability for alleged government misconduct or an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars that could benefit controversial figures connected to one of the most divisive events in modern American history.