Trump official declines to call January 6 an ‘attack’, describing ‘protests and such’ (opens original article in a new tab)

A Trump nominee for DOJ inspector general declined to call January 6 an 'attack,' describing it as 'protests and such' during Senate confirmation hearings, drawing criticism from a Democratic senator who questioned his independence.

• Donald Trump's nominee for DOJ inspector general refused to call January 6 an 'attack' during Senate questioning
• Berthiaume described the events as 'protests and such' despite violence against Capitol police
• Senate Democrat Richard Blumenthal criticized Berthiaume's response as an understatement and questioned his independence