House Democrats want to stop taxpayers from footing the bill for refunds to January 6 rioters who were pardoned by President Trump, after hundreds sought up to $10 million in reimbursements and the administration approved a $5 million settlement for Ashli Babbitt’s family.
Story Snapshot
- Rep. Deborah Ross introduced legislation on February 25, 2026, to ban taxpayer-funded refunds to pardoned January 6 participants seeking reimbursement for fines and restitution
- Approximately 400 pardoned rioters have requested up to $10 million in taxpayer refunds after Trump pardons absolved their restitution obligations
- Capitol Police officers testified they received no compensation while rioters who injured over 140 officers now seek taxpayer money
- The January 6 attack caused over $3 million in damages, with only 15% paid before pardons eliminated remaining obligations
Democrats Block Taxpayer Refunds to Pardoned Rioters
Representative Deborah Ross introduced House legislation on February 25, 2026, specifically designed to prohibit federal funds from reimbursing individuals convicted for the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. The bill directly responds to approximately 400 pardoned rioters requesting taxpayer refunds for court-ordered fines and restitution that Trump’s blanket pardons eliminated. The legislation gained immediate backing from top Democrats on the House Judiciary and House Administration committees, reflecting widespread concern about using public funds to reward those convicted of attacking the Capitol during election certification.
Millions in Settlements Spark Congressional Action
The Trump administration’s approval of a $5 million settlement for Ashli Babbitt’s family catalyzed Democratic efforts to prevent further taxpayer-funded payouts. Attorney Mark McCloskey advocated for establishing a formal January 6 “compensation fund” through social media campaigns beginning in August 2025. Ross condemned these efforts, stating that Proud Boys attempting to claim tax dollars based on victimhood narratives are “patently false.” The proposed legislation explicitly bans any January 6 compensation fund and blocks refunds for all convicted participants, distinguishing it from earlier Senate bills that targeted only those who assaulted law enforcement officers.
Capitol Police Testify Against Rioter Compensation
U.S. Capitol Police officers delivered compelling testimony opposing taxpayer payouts to rioters during congressional hearings in January 2026. Officer Winston Pingeon and Sergeant Aquilino Gonell emphasized that over 140 officers sustained injuries during the attack, yet none received compensation for their service protecting democracy. Gonell characterized potential rioter payouts as a “betrayal to first responders” who risked their lives. The stark contrast between officers’ sacrifices and rioters’ refund requests strengthened Democratic arguments that taxpayers should not fund rewards for those who participated in the Capitol breach, which caused over $3 million in damages with only 15% paid before pardons.
Senate Companion Bills Target Pardon Loopholes
Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Alex Padilla introduced companion legislation on January 6, 2026, the fifth anniversary of the Capitol attack, creating a coordinated Democratic strategy across both chambers. The Senate bills include the “No Rewards for January 6 Rioters Act” and the “No Settlements for January 6 Law Enforcement Assaulters Act,” with Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley introducing identical measures. Whitehouse declared there would be “no taxpayer-funded cash giveaway” to assaulters, while Padilla called payouts “unthinkable” five years after the attack. These legislative efforts strengthen congressional oversight of executive branch settlements and establish precedent against pardons enabling taxpayer-funded reversals of criminal penalties.
New legislation will be introduced today in US House to block any more taxpayer money from going to Jan 6 rioters
Here: https://t.co/1fH529TPeL
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) February 25, 2026
The legislation positions Democrats as defenders of taxpayer interests and Capitol Police sacrifices while challenging the Trump administration’s approach to January 6 participants. Organizations like CREW and Democracy Defenders endorsed the bills, calling taxpayer rewards “unconscionable” and advocating to end “illegal cash payouts.” The bills’ fate remains uncertain without noted Republican support, though they set a clear marker against using public funds to compensate those convicted of attacking the constitutional process that defines American self-governance.
Sources:
New legislation in House would ban taxpayer money from going to Jan. 6 rioters – CBS News
Whitehouse, Padilla Introduce Bills to Ban Taxpayer Payouts for January 6 Rioters
