Governor Gavin Newsom is calling on President Trump to permanently abandon his $1.776 billion taxpayer-funded reward program for January 6 rioters and instead invest that money in public safety initiatives. The program, temporarily blocked by a federal judge, was intended to compensate individuals pardoned by Trump for their roles in the Capitol attack.
Newsom's appeal comes as the Trump administration has cut over $800 million in federal public safety grants in 2025 alone, affecting victim services, violence prevention, and law enforcement training. The governor highlighted alternative uses for the funds, including protecting children from abuse, combating human trafficking, hiring police officers, and funding community violence intervention programs.