Jan. 6ers already got pardoned. Will they get their money back too?
Summary
This episode explores whether pardoned January 6th defendants can reclaim fines paid to the U.S. Treasury. Hosts Vito Emanuel and Waylon Wong explain how legal precedents from the Civil War era and the modern Judgment Fund influence these refund cases. They discuss how defendants whose convictions were vacated during appeals may recover their money, while others face hurdles. The segment also covers a related class-action lawsuit seeking damages from Capitol Police.
Topics discussed
Intro: Planet Money book and Jan 6 pardons
Sponsors: Mint Mobile, Schwab, Vanguard
What a pardon does and doesn't do
Civil War precedent and Treasury funds
Vacated convictions and the Judgment Fund
Appeals, class action lawsuits, and legislation
Credits and closing sponsors
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