Trump official declines to call January 6 an ‘attack’, describing ‘protests and such’
Summary
Donald Trump’s nominee for the Justice Department’s top independent watchdog role, Don Berthiaume, declined to call the January 6 Capitol events an “attack” during Senate questioning. Berthiaume referred to those events as “protests and such,” despite acknowledging there was physical violence.Key Facts
- Don Berthiaume, a career Justice Department employee, was nominated by President Trump to be the permanent inspector general.
- Berthiaume currently serves as the acting inspector general at the Justice Department.
- During Senate confirmation, Senator Richard Blumenthal asked Berthiaume about the 2020 election outcome; Berthiaume said Joe Biden won as certified by the Senate.
- When asked if January 6 was an attack on the Capitol, Berthiaume refused to use the term “attack” and described the events as protests.
- Berthiaume acknowledged there was physical violence on January 6 but disagreed with calling it an attack.
- Some January 6 defendants were pardoned or had sentences reduced by President Trump.
- Senator Blumenthal expressed concern that Berthiaume’s answers showed a lack of independence as inspector general.
- The inspector general role involves overseeing the Justice Department’s integrity and independence.
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