Center for Responsive Politics announced that former President Donald Trump’s campaign paid more than $2.7 million to individuals and firms that organized the Jan. 6 rally that led to violent rioters storming the U.S. Capitol.
The payments, as reported by the Associated Press, span Mr. Trump’s re-election campaign, showing an ongoing financial relationship between the rally’s organizers and Trump’s political operation. They were all made through Nov. 23, the most recent date covered by Federal Election Commission filings, which is before the rally was publicly announced.
After then-president Trump encouraged his supporters at the rally to march on the Capitol, they stormed the building, disrupting the count of Electoral College votes in an event that killed five people. Lawmakers and Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding over what is normally a ceremonial event, were forced to flee.
The biggest recipient of campaign funds according to the report, was Event Strategies Inc., which was paid more than $1.7 million by Mr. Trump’s campaign and joint fundraising committee. The firm’s owners, Justin Caporale and Tim Unes, served as rally production manager and stage manager, respectively. Women for America First, the nonprofit organization that requested the permit on Nov. 24, originally for an event to be held on Jan. 23, had a financial relationship with America First Policies, the pro-Trump nonprofit formed to advance his agenda shortly after he took office, according to the report.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Friday that House Speake Nancy Pelosi is sending the article of impeachment against former President Trump to the Senate on Monday, paving the way for a trial.
The House of Representatives this month voted to impeach Mr. Trump for the second time in his presidency for “incitement of insurrection” after a mob of his supporters besieged the Capitol on Jan. 6 in a failed attempt to stop the certification of then-President-elect Joe Biden electoral college win. (R.P)