1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to block any legislation that would provide restitution payments to individuals who participated in the January 6 insurrection. The recent pardons have already undermined accountability for those who attacked our Capitol, and now there are proposals to compensate people who pleaded guilty or were convicted of crimes committed that day. This is unacceptable. Over 1,000 individuals were charged with crimes related to the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Many pleaded guilty, acknowledging their criminal conduct. Others were convicted by juries after trials that examined the evidence. These individuals assaulted law enforcement officers, vandalized federal property, and disrupted the constitutional process of certifying electoral votes. The idea that they should now receive taxpayer money as restitution fundamentally contradicts basic principles of justice. Allowing convicted criminals to profit from their crimes sets a dangerous precedent. It sends the message that violent attacks on democratic institutions carry no lasting consequences and may even result in financial reward. This would be particularly offensive to the more than 140 law enforcement officers who were injured defending the Capitol that day, some suffering permanent disabilities. I understand there may be arguments about legal technicalities or claims of wrongful prosecution, but the facts remain clear. These individuals participated in an attack that resulted in deaths, injuries, and millions of dollars in damage. Many admitted their guilt in court. Compensating them would be a betrayal of the officers who protected our elected officials and an insult to every American who believes in the rule of law. I am asking you to publicly oppose any appropriations or legislative provisions that would fund restitution payments to January 6 participants. Please use your position to ensure that no federal dollars are directed toward compensating individuals who attacked our democracy. Your constituents deserve to know where you stand on this issue.