Trump Says Jan. 6 Defendants 'Should Be Compensated,' Calls California Elections Rigged, Then Ends the Interview

In a Meet the Press interview taped June 5, 2026 with Kristen Welker, President Trump defended the Justice Department's 'anti-weaponization' fund and declined to rule out payments to January 6 defendants who assaulted police officers, saying 'I wouldn't be inclined to say so, but I have to see it,' and later that people caught up in the cases 'have been destroyed' and 'should be compensated.' In the same interview he asserted without evidence that California's recent elections were 'rigged,' questioning why no result had been declared five days after voting. Pressed for evidence, he said, 'All I have to do is look.' He ended the roughly 50-minute interview and walked out.

A sitting president suggesting federal money may go to people convicted of attacking police at the Capitol, and alleging fraud in a state election without evidence, shapes public understanding of both the January 6 prosecutions and election administration ahead of the 2026 midterms.

NBC News published the interview June 7, 2026. A federal court blocked the fund a week later.