Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on the backlash to Donald Trump's $1.8b anti-weaponisation slush fund
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
International Correspondence with NZI Insurance. Peace of mind for New Zealand business.
Right, America, Richard Arnold, morning to you. Good morning, Mike. How's that victimisation fund going, eh?
Well, yeah, there's a Republican backlash to this and several other issues, starting with the $1.8 billion fund, which could be used to pay out some of the January 6th rioters who attacked the US Capitol. According to the fellow who's pushing this, Todd Blanche, the former criminal lawyer for Trump, now Acting Attorney-General, A couple of police officers who defended against the mob have filed a lawsuit today claiming their slush fund is illegal and dangerous. Nine people died in connection with the riot and some 174 people were injured. One of those bringing this lawsuit is Daniel Hodges, a D.C.
What is the $1.8 billion anti-weaponisation fund and who does it affect?
police officer who repeatedly was assaulted and crushed in a door frame. Here is part of a recording of that.
Yeah, just a little reminder of what Trump later called a, quote, day of love and described those who took part as, quote, great people. Then he pardoned them and now he's acting AG. Says anyone, even those who rioted, can apply for compensation from this Justice Department fund. Hodges and Harry Dunn, a former Capitol Police officer, argue...
It sends that if you commit violence in Donald Trump's name, that you will be protected legally, you will be rewarded financially.
One of those lining up to apply for the taxpayer-funded cash is Brandon Fellows, who broke into the Capitol and was pardoned by Trump. with all the others the number i've put in is 30 million dollars you know 21.5 million is for the wrongful imprisonment 30 million bucks he wants your tax money at work another lining up is rachel powell she says we endured a lot Our lives are still not the same. Poor baby. She used a battering ram to help break into the Capitol. Jake Lang is another. He was wielding a bat against police, but argues his actions were justified as self-defense because he believed the 2020 election was stolen, as Trump asserted. His phone message now runs, quote, Jake Lang's office, America's newest billionaire.
Only joking, he says, while the MyPillow guy, Mike Lindell, says his company lost $400 million due to what he views as government weaponization after the 2020 supposed election theft. A number of Republican pollies are opposing the compensation funds of Senator Tom Tillis. It's irresponsible.
It sends a signal, hey, go breach the Capitol, destroy the building, assault police officers, and you may even get compensated for some day. That's absurd.
So this fund is supposed to be run by a five-person group chosen by Trump's former lawyer. Meantime, Trump removed a Republican critic, Bill Cassidy, in their primary vote the other day. Cassidy still has time to serve out in the Senate, and he now has posted about his opposition to the Trump fund. If they draw enough support, the Dems could limit or even eliminate this fund. We'll see. There is also a backlash over $1 billion being sought for security for the Trump Golden Ballroom, which he said initially... would not fall to taxpayers to fund, just like the Bill of the Wall. Mexico would pay for it or whatever. Trump managed to oust his Republican critic in Kentucky, Thomas Massey, who had been vocal in calling for release of all the Epstein files on pedophilia.
Now Massey also is serving out his time on Capitol Hill, and some Republicans are worried... that this Trump victory in the political fight against Massey could lead to a wider political war. Some say that if Massey was to declare for another office, maybe even the presidency in 28, he could siphon away enough Republican votes to give more to the Democrats. So, with politics, the game is never done. One more time for Stephen Colbert tonight. Yeah, final episode of his late-night comedy show.
What are the Republican responses to Trump's victimisation fund?
That is a significant historical marker for American television, got to say. Colby were taken over from David Letterman, whose rivalry with Jay Leno on NBC's Tonight Show was legendary. That follows generations of late-night comedy, including Johnny Carson, Steve Allen, Jack Parr, Dick Cavett, Ed Sullivan, going all the way back.
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