Antony Vo was at a friend’s house when he received unexpected news. A fellow pardoned participant in the January 6 Capitol riot informed him about a new fund. The Trump administration had established it to assist those who believed they had been wronged by the federal government, including those involved in the Capitol incident five years ago.
Vo had briefly fled the country to avoid imprisonment for his actions during the riot. He was unaware that the fund resulted from a larger agreement President Trump had made. This agreement led to the withdrawal of an exceptional lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. For Vo, the origins of the fund were secondary to the emotions it stirred: surprise, relief, and gratitude.
“I’m glad it turned into something,”
Vo stated, expressing hope that the fund would aid those experiencing hardships.
The reaction from the so-called Jan. 6ers, who have aligned with Trump’s narrative that their prosecution was unjust, was notably mixed. Some felt validated, seeing themselves as victims of governmental mistreatment. Others expressed cautious enthusiasm at the potential monetary benefit. A sense of confusion lingered about the process for filing claims and receiving payments.
Enrique Tarrio, leader of the Proud Boys, who received a 22-year sentence for seditious conspiracy related to the riot, shared this sentiment. He acknowledged the uncertainty but viewed the fund as a positive development.
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