Former U.S. Representative Denver Riggleman (R-VA) criticized the Department of Justice’s proposed “anti-weaponization” fund during a recent interview on MSNBC [1].
This criticism highlights a growing internal rift within the Republican party regarding the balance between supporting law enforcement and the political goals of Donald Trump. Riggleman, who served as a senior advisor to the House Jan. 6 Select Committee, said the administration's current posture is contradictory [1].
During a segment with Ana Cabrera and White House reporter Jake Traylor, Riggleman targeted the hypocrisy of the proposed DOJ fund [1]. He said the initiative to curb the weaponization of government agencies is incompatible with the administration's support for individuals involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack [1].
“You can’t back the blue if you back President Trump,” Riggleman said [1].
The former representative suggested that the fund's objectives are undermined when the executive branch supports those who attacked the U.S. Capitol [1]. This stance contrasts with other interactions Riggleman has had regarding the former president's electoral success. In a separate instance reported by the Daily Signal in January 2025, Riggleman responded to questions about pardons for Jan. 6 rioters by stating, “You just can’t stand the fact that he won” [2].
While the MSNBC discussion focused specifically on the financial and systemic implications of the DOJ fund, other reports suggest Riggleman's public commentary often fluctuates between criticizing the administration's legal strategies and defending the legitimacy of the election results [2]. The proposed fund aims to prevent the misuse of justice systems for political gain, yet critics like Riggleman said this goal is unreachable if the administration continues to sympathize with those who breached the Capitol [1].
““You can’t back the blue if you back President Trump.””
The tension described by Riggleman reflects a broader legal and political conflict over the definition of 'law and order.' By linking the DOJ's anti-weaponization fund to the treatment of Jan. 6 defendants, Riggleman is pointing to a paradox where the government seeks to protect the integrity of justice systems while simultaneously rewarding those who challenged the peaceful transfer of power through violence.
