Trump Nominee for DOJ Inspector General Declines to Call Jan. 6 an “Attack”

On June 17, 2026, the Senate Judiciary Committee questioned Don Berthiaume, President Trump’s nominee for the DOJ Inspector General. When Senator Richard Blumenthal asked if the Capitol was attacked on Jan. 6, 2021, Berthiaume said he was unsure about using “attack,” describing the day as “activity outside the Capitol—protests and such—and violence on the Capitol grounds.” He added that “attack” implies a coordinated effort, a view he does not endorse.

CNNThe Guardian

The OIG, created by Congress in the 1970s as a post-Watergate safeguard, investigates waste, fraud and abuse within the Justice Department. Since taking office, President Trump has faced criticism for dismissing multiple inspectors general, a series of firings a federal court later deemed likely unlawful. Berthiaume said he agrees with that court’s finding that the terminations broke the law.

CNN

• Established by Congress in the 1970s post-Watergate.

CNN

• Berthiaume acting IG since 2025.

The Guardian

• Senate hearing: June 17, 2026.

CNN

• Hundreds entered the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021; many assaulted police.

The Guardian

Don Berthiaume, a career DOJ attorney, has been acting inspector general since 2025. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) leads the questioning. President Donald Trump nominated him and has been accused of eroding IG independence.

CNN

Berthiaume said his priority is factual investigation, not political labeling, and reiterated his view that the court correctly found the prior IG dismissals unlawful. Blumenthal framed his questions as a test of independence, arguing that an accurate Jan. 6 description is essential for the OIG’s credibility.

The Guardian

Blumenthal called Berthiaume’s wording “the most obvious understatement,” noting that “hundreds” entered the Capitol, many assaulted police. He warned that refusing to label the breach an attack undermines the OIG’s impartiality.

The Guardian

Senate records and media describe Jan. 6 as an “insurrection” or “attack,” while Berthiaume avoided those terms, citing uncertainty about coordinated intent. No legal ruling on the terminology emerged from the hearing.

The Guardian

• “I don’t know if I would use the term ‘attack,’” — Don Berthiaume, Nominee for DOJ Inspector General

CNN

• “The term attack — to me — seems to imply that there was a coordinated effort to attack specific things,” — Don Berthiaume, Nominee for DOJ Inspector General

CNN

• “I hope my colleagues will agree that the inspector general of the Department of Justice should recognize reality and facts for what they are,” — Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator (D-CT)

The Guardian

• “the most obvious understatement” — Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator (D-CT)

The Guardian

• “Berthiaume said Wednesday that he agreed with the court’s conclusion that the terminations broke the law.” — Don Berthiaume, Nominee for DOJ Inspector General

CNN

The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Berthiaume’s nomination later this month; confirmation would place him at the helm of the DOJ OIG.

The Guardian