The Trump administration deleted Justice Department news releases detailing the prosecutions of individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, including those who assaulted police officers. These removals are part of a broader effort by President Trump to rewrite the history of the riot. The deleted material included information about some of the most serious assaults on law enforcement that occurred that day.
The purged news releases now lead to a "Page not found" message. The mass deletion of government information about the riot, in which a mob of Trump supporters injured 140 police officers and threatened the lives of members of Congress and then-Vice President Mike Pence, follows a broader effort by the Trump administration to whitewash the attack.
On social media, the Justice Department defended the move, stating, "We are proud to reverse the DOJ's weaponization under the Biden administration. We will do everything in our power to make whole those who were persecuted for political purposes. This includes stripping DOJ's website of partisan propaganda."
Trump granted clemency to every Jan. 6 defendant, including full pardons for all the most violent rioters and the erasure of seditious conspiracy convictions for members of extremist groups. The Justice Department fired dozens of prosecutors who worked on Jan. 6 cases. The administration also hired a former riot defendant who was seen on video urging the mob to "kill" police.
The administration announced a $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" to "provide a systematic process to hear and redress claims" by those who suffered government weaponization. Critics raised concerns that rioters could potentially qualify for payouts. Brendan Ballou, who represents two police officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6, is suing to prevent payouts from the Anti-Weaponization Fund.
The DOJ announced it would provide $1.776 billion for the "Anti-Weaponization Fund," which would "provide a systematic process to hear and redress claims" by those "who suffered weaponization and lawfare" at the hands of the federal government.
Reason's Eric Boehm characterized the fund as "a massive taxpayer-funded slush fund," while the administration argued it would "provide a systematic process to hear and redress claims" by those who suffered government overreach.
According to a settlement agreement, the IRS would issue Trump a "formal apology," and it would be "FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED from prosecuting or pursuing" him for any existing offenses—potentially saving the president from more than $100 million in fines for unpaid taxes. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche claimed in an order last week, "Previous cases have been settled on similar terms."
Jaxon Dart introduced the sitting president of the United States during a visit to Suffern, New York. ESPN's "First Take" made it a lead topic on Monday, and Dart's teammate, Abdul Carter, publicly criticized him on social media for it.
Last season, members of the Kansas City Chiefs, including Travis Kelce, wore "Free 4" shirts in support of teammate Rashee Rice during his suspension for drag racing at 120 mph, crashing into another vehicle and fleeing the scene.
Citizens can access NPR's database and visual archive of the attack, which covers all the nearly 1,600 criminal cases, including charges, convictions and sentencing outcomes.
The Trump administration deleted Justice Department news releases detailing the prosecutions of individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, including those who assaulted police officers. These removals are part of a broader effort by President Trump to rewrite the history of the riot. The deleted material included information about some of the most serious assaults on law enforcement that occurred that day.
The purged news releases now lead to a "Page not found" message. The mass deletion of government information about the riot, in which a mob of Trump supporters injured 140 police officers and threatened the lives of members of Congress and then-Vice President Mike Pence, follows a broader effort by the Trump administration to whitewash the attack.
On social media, the Justice Department defended the move, stating, "We are proud to reverse the DOJ's weaponization under the Biden administration. We will do everything in our power to make whole those who were persecuted for political purposes. This includes stripping DOJ's website of partisan propaganda."
Trump granted clemency to every Jan. 6 defendant, including full pardons for all the most violent rioters and the erasure of seditious conspiracy convictions for members of extremist groups. The Justice Department fired dozens of prosecutors who worked on Jan. 6 cases and hired a former riot defendant who was seen on video urging the mob to "kill" police.
The administration announced a $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund," indicating that even rioters who assaulted police may be eligible for payouts. Brendan Ballou, who represents two police officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6, is suing to prevent payouts from the Anti-Weaponization Fund.
The case stemmed from a January 2026 lawsuit Trump filed against the IRS, seeking $10 billion in damages, after a disgruntled government contractor leaked his tax returns to the press. The DOJ announced it would provide $1.776 billion for the "Anti-Weaponization Fund," which would "provide a systematic process to hear and redress claims" by those "who suffered weaponization and lawfare" at the hands of the federal government.
Reason's Eric Boehm wrote, "In reality, this is a massive taxpayer-funded slush fund that Trump will be able to distribute to his friends and allies—including those who rioted at the U.S. Capitol in January 2021. The Anti-Weaponization Fund is merely the most blatant example (so far) of Trump's corruption."
According to a settlement agreement, the IRS would issue Trump a "formal apology," and it would be "FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED from prosecuting or pursuing" him for any existing offenses—potentially saving the president from more than $100 million in fines for unpaid taxes. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche claimed in an order last week, "Previous cases have been settled on similar terms."
New York Giants quarterback Jaxon Dart introduced Trump and faced more backlash than NFL players accused of violent crimes. Dart introduced the sitting president of the United States during a visit to Suffern, New York. ESPN’s "First Take" made it a lead topic on Monday, and Dart’s teammate, Abdul Carter, publicly criticized him on social media for it.
Last season, members of the Kansas City Chiefs, including Travis Kelce, wore "Free 4" shirts in support of teammate Rashee Rice during his suspension for drag racing at 120 mph, crashing into another vehicle and fleeing the scene.
Citizens can access NPR's database and visual archive of the attack, which covers all the nearly 1,600 criminal cases, including charges, convictions and sentencing outcomes.
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