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Legislators introduce bill to block taxpayer-funded settlements for Jan. 6 rioters
The bill aims to stop refunds and damage payments to rioters, citing over $3 million in damages with only 15% paid before pardons, to protect taxpayer funds.
- On 2026-02-26, Rep. Deborah Ross, D-N.C., introduced a bill to bar disbursing Treasury funds for court-ordered payments to individuals involved in the January 6, 2021 attack, including pardoned persons.
- Following the blanket pardons, lawmakers noted that lawsuits seeking restitution have increased in Washington, D.C., and a wave of legal disputes has emerged since President Donald Trump issued pardons for over 1,500 people tied to the January 6 attack on January 20, 2025.
- CBS reported that total damages tied to Jan. 6 claims surpassed $3,000,000, with about 15% paid before the pardons, and a rioter who sought $63,000 for filming was denied by federal judges.
- Ross said the pardons 'have re-traumatized the victims' and argued the clemency has blocked restitution payments, motivating her bill to protect Capitol victims.
- Under Justice Department clemency guidelines, applicants must typically wait at least 5 years, but critics say recent pardons did not meet this timeline, while last year the DOJ settled with rioter Ashli Babbitt.
12 Articles
12 Articles
House Bill Would Prevent Jan. 6 Rioters From Receiving Taxpayer Money
Source: Douglas Rissing / Getty Rep. Deborah Ross (D-N.C.) sponsored a House bill that would prevent those who participated in the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot from receiving taxpayer-funded settlements. According to CBS News, the legislation comes as several pardoned Jan 6 rioters have filed lawsuits against the federal government. “We now have the Proud Boys trying to take people’s tax dollars and act like they were the victims on Jan. 6, which we kno…
Legislators introduce bill to block taxpayer-funded settlements for Jan. 6 rioters
Since President Donald Trump pardoned the men and women who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, lawsuits have flown around D.C. from those pardoned, seeking awards or restitution for their cases. Legislators from both sides of the aisle have stepped in to discuss the issue, and the Trump administration has already approved at least one civil settlement related to the riot. Last year, the Justice Department settled with rioter Ashli Babbitt, who was…
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