Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

Predictably, Vice President JD Vance has also been asked about the extremely controversial $1.8bn fund that the justice department said would be used to compensate people “unfairly” being investigated by prior administrations.

Democrats have widely criticised the move, describing the fund as a “slush fund” for Trump’s political allies, including some charged or convicted in relation to the 6 January 2021 riot at the US Capitol.

His answer echoes those we heard from acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Capitol Hill earlier today.

The argument from the Trump administration so far is that, in theory, the fund is non-partisan and can theoretically benefit anyone – Democrats, Republicans or Independents – who has been wronged by a previous administration.

Vance said that even Hunter Biden, the son of the former president, could apply to the fund.

For critics, however, that answer will likely not be satisfactory, or reassuring.

Of the five members of the commission that will distribute the compensation fund, four will be appointed by the attorney general, who, at least for the moment, is Trump’s handpicked former personal attorney.