Don Berthiaume, President Donald Trump's nominee for inspector general at the Department of Justice, refused to explicitly label the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach as an 'attack' during his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday.
Testimony Before Senate Committee
Berthiaume appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where he was questioned about his views on the events of January 6. When asked directly whether the incident constituted an attack on the Capitol, Berthiaume hesitated and ultimately declined to use that specific term, instead referring to it as a 'riot' or 'breach.'
Senators from both parties pressed him on the characterization, with some expressing concern that his refusal to call it an attack could undermine the seriousness of the event. Berthiaume maintained that his role as inspector general would require impartiality and that he did not want to prejudge any potential investigations.
Political Reactions
The exchange quickly drew criticism from Democrats, who argued that the nominee's stance was out of step with the widely accepted view that the Capitol riot was a violent attack on democracy. Republicans, however, defended Berthiaume, noting that his focus on legal definitions rather than political labels was appropriate for an oversight role.
The confirmation process for Berthiaume continues, with a full Senate vote expected in the coming weeks. If confirmed, he would oversee internal investigations at the Department of Justice, including potential probes related to the January 6 aftermath.
