Former Vice President Mike Pence has once again publicly broken with President Donald Trump, making it clear that he believes individuals who assaulted police officers during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot should never receive taxpayer-funded compensation. Speaking during an interview with Axios while promoting his upcoming book, What Conservatives Believe, Pence described the events of Jan. 6 as a “tragic day” and reaffirmed his long-standing position that violence against law enforcement cannot be justified or rewarded.
Pence said he disagreed with Trump’s decision to pardon people who attacked police officers during the Capitol riot. He emphasized that anyone who committed acts of violence against law enforcement or participated in the assault on the Capitol should not receive financial compensation from taxpayers under any circumstances.
His remarks followed the Trump administration’s announcement of a settlement resolving Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. As part of that agreement, officials unveiled the proposed “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” a taxpayer-backed compensation program designed to provide financial relief and formal apologies to Americans who claim they were harmed by politically motivated government actions.
The broad wording surrounding the program quickly raised questions about who might qualify for compensation. Critics wondered whether some Jan. 6 defendants could become eligible to file claims, although officials have not released detailed eligibility guidelines.
Trump has consistently defended many people charged in connection with the Capitol riot, often referring to them as “patriots” or “hostages” while arguing they were treated unfairly by the justice system. After returning to office, he issued pardons and commutations for hundreds of individuals convicted or charged over the events of Jan. 6.
Pence, however, has maintained a clear distinction between peaceful demonstrators exercising their constitutional rights and those who attacked police officers or unlawfully entered the Capitol. His relationship with Trump deteriorated after the 2020 election when Trump urged him to delay or reject the certification of Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory. Pence refused, saying the Constitution did not grant him the authority to overturn the election results.
That decision sparked widespread criticism from many Trump supporters and temporarily isolated Pence within much of the Republican Party. Despite those political consequences, he has continued to defend his actions, arguing that he fulfilled his constitutional responsibilities.
During the interview, Pence also expressed hope that Republicans would eventually refocus on long-standing conservative principles rather than personality-driven politics. He said he believes most Republican voters still value a strong national defense, fiscal responsibility, limited government, and traditional values.
The debate over Jan. 6 continues to expose divisions within the Republican Party. While Trump argues many defendants were victims of politically motivated prosecutions, Pence continues to insist that peaceful protesters should not be grouped together with those who committed violence. His latest comments reinforce that distinction and underscore his belief that taxpayer money should never be used to compensate individuals who assaulted police officers during the Capitol attack.
