CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins directly asked Vice President JD Vance about his previous comments about Jan. 6 rioters as the Trump administration faced backlash over the Justice Department's compensation fund on Tuesday.
Collins mentioned the contradicting remarks during a fiery White House press conference, just a day after the DOJ announced a $1.776 billion taxpayer-funded compensation fund for President Donald Trump's allies, including Jan. 6 rioters, who claim political targeting by previous administrations.
Vance appeared to reverse his stance, telling Collins and the group of reporters that people who attacked Capitol police should not be ruled out from the DOJ fund.
"You previously told me that anyone who assaulted a police officer on Jan. should go to prison. So why not rule out giving them taxpayer-funded money?" Collins asked.
"Well, Kaitlan, what I said is we're going to look at everything case by case," Vance said.
But Collins wanted Vance to clarify what he was saying.
"Why not rule it out?" Collins said, pushing back.
"Because, Kaitlan, there are people who I don't know their individual circumstances and I don't rule things out categorically when I know nothing about a person's individual circumstances," Vance said.
You previously told me that anyone who assaulted a police officer on January 6th should go to prison. So why not rule out giving them taxpayer funded money?
Vance: "Well, Kaitlan, what I said is we're going to look at everything case by case..."
Why not rule it out?
Vance:… pic.twitter.com/CAhPDWMbqF
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) May 19, 2026
