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Nominee Berthiaume Declines ‘Attack’ Label, Calls Trump Firings Unlawful

6/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Nominee Don Berthiaume refused to call the Jan 6, 2021 Capitol breach an “attack” during his Senate confirmation hearing.
He argued that the word “attack” implies coordination and therefore would not use it, while acknowledging physical violence on the Capitol grounds.
Berthiaume also agreed that President Donald Trump’s mass firings of inspectors general were likely unlawful, as a federal court had determined.

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Story summary

Nominee Don Berthiaume refused to call the Jan 6, 2021 Capitol breach an “attack” during his Senate confirmation hearing.
He argued that the word “attack” implies coordination and therefore would not use it, while acknowledging physical violence on the Capitol grounds.
Berthiaume also agreed that President Donald Trump’s mass firings of inspectors general were likely unlawful, as a federal court had determined.