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[Video below.] Former Vice President Mike Pence said Friday that individuals who assaulted law enforcement officers or damaged government property during the January 6 Capitol riot should never have been pardoned and should not receive any financial compensation.

Speaking during an appearance on HBO’s “Real Time,” Pence discussed the events of January 6 with host Bill Maher and drew a distinction between those who were simply present that day and those who engaged in violence or criminal conduct.

Maher suggested that Americans might be able to find common ground regarding the events at the Capitol.

“OK, so, I mean, it seems like we could, so many of these things we could come to some agreement with the middle, like January 6, like, Trump, pardon everybody. Could we say that, yes, some people were there just for reasons of who knows, they weren’t exactly tourists, but they weren’t t having horrible intent. Other people? Can we say some bad people were here, like the ones who wanted to hang you? Can we say those were bad people?”

Pence responded by reiterating a position he has expressed before, saying he did not object to pardons for some individuals caught up in the day’s events, but strongly opposed clemency for those who committed violent acts or attempted to interfere with the constitutional process.

“Bill, I made it clear I had no problem with the president pardoning people who got caught up in that day. But for anyone who assaulted a police officer, anybody that violated and vandalized the seat of our government and sought to disrupt the counting of electoral college votes, those people never should have been pardoned, and they should never get a dime.”

Maher then shifted the conversation to the threats directed at Pence during the riot, asking, “So, no ill feelings about the hanging thing?”

Pence replied, “You know, I get, you know…”

Maher followed up by pressing him on whether he feared for his life as the situation unfolded.

“Did you ever fear for your life? Do you, did you actually fear that they would, that that could happen?”

Pence answered by emphasizing his determination during the crisis rather than any personal fear.

“Well, to be honest with you, I never felt a greater sense of resolve any day in my life than on January 6.”

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{Matzav.com}

With the New York Knicks preparing to host their first NBA Finals game in nearly three decades, Madison Square Garden is implementing heightened security measures ahead of Monday night’s pivotal Game 3.

The organization announced a series of special protocols for fans attending the matchup, including a strict ban on bags and enhanced screening procedures modeled after airport security checkpoints. Officials are urging spectators to arrive well ahead of the 8:30 p.m. tip-off to avoid delays and ensure they are seated before the opening quarter begins.

“A strict no-bag policy will be in effect, and fans should make every effort to limit personal items to an absolute minimum,” the team wrote. “Fans should expect enhanced security measures when entering Madison Square Garden, including TSA-style screening procedures. Guests are strongly encouraged to arrive at least two hours before tip-off to allow additional time for screening and entry.”

In addition, attendees have been advised to review the U.S. Secret Service’s list of prohibited items before arriving at the arena.

Under normal circumstances, Madison Square Garden permits small bags that fit beneath a seat and do not exceed 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches, according to arena guidelines. Those rules will be significantly tightened for Monday’s contest.

The increased security comes as President Donald Trump is expected to be among those in attendance for the highly anticipated game.

After reports surfaced this past week that Trump planned to attend the Finals at Madison Square Garden, the president later confirmed the plans himself.

The visit will mark the first time a sitting U.S. president has attended an NBA Finals game.

“[The Knicks] find a way to do it,” Trump told reporters Thursday. “They’re really great, a great team. I’m happy for [Knicks owner] Jim [Dolan] because Jim has really been fighting hard to produce such a team.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also welcomed the president’s attendance, noting Trump’s longstanding ties to New York and his history as a Knicks supporter.

“We’re seeing that in New York, and I think President Trump is very much a New Yorker, and I’m thrilled that yet another New Yorker wants to participate in the enthusiasm and the joy around this Knick team,” Silver said this week.

The Knicks enter Game 3 riding tremendous momentum after victories in the first two games of the series, giving them a commanding 2-0 advantage over the Spurs. New York now stands just two wins away from capturing its first NBA championship since 1973—and will attempt to take another major step toward ending that 54-year title drought on its home floor Monday night.

{Matzav.com}

The $2 bill remains one of the most unusual pieces of American currency, and despite being legal tender, many Americans rarely encounter one. While some collectors prize certain versions for their rarity and value, anyone hoping to obtain a freshly printed $2 bill this year is likely to be disappointed.

Although the denomination has been produced on and off for more than 160 years, federal officials have decided not to print any new $2 bills this year.

Despite their reputation as a rarity, $2 bills are far from extinct. An estimated 1.8 billion are currently circulating throughout the United States. By comparison, there are roughly 2.4 billion $10 bills and approximately 3.7 billion $5 bills in circulation.

Federal Reserve figures indicate that the current supply of $2 bills is the largest seen in the past two decades, helping explain why no additional notes are being ordered.

As a result, the Federal Reserve’s printing request for $2 bills this year falls within a range of zero to zero, meaning none will be produced.

This is not the first time the denomination has faced a lengthy pause. Between 1966 and 1976, federal authorities stopped printing $2 bills altogether. At the time, demand had fallen sharply, and officials hoped that suspending production for a decade might renew public interest in the note.

The strategy produced mixed results. When the bills returned in 1976, many people chose to save them rather than spend them. Some collectors even had the newly issued notes postmarked on April 13, the day the U.S. Postal Service offered commemorative stamps marking the denomination’s return.

While those commemorative bills may hold interest for collectors, other rare $2 notes have become far more valuable, with some examples selling for thousands of dollars.

The decision about how much currency to print each year originates with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which receives annual estimates of how many notes are needed to satisfy domestic and international demand. Those calculations take into account existing supplies, spending habits, and the number of worn-out bills that need replacement.

According to a 2017 episode of the U.S. Currency Education Program podcast, replacing damaged notes is generally the primary reason new currency is printed. The program also noted that the $2 bill is unique because it does not require annual production.

In recent years, federal officials have repeatedly chosen not to order new $2 bills. No new notes were requested in 2013, 2017, 2018, 2020, or 2023, largely because previous production runs had already supplied more than enough bills to meet demand.

With between 307.2 million and 416 million new $2 bills scheduled for production in 2025, the absence of a new printing order this year comes as little surprise.

One reason the existing supply lasts so long is that $2 bills change hands less frequently than other denominations. Many cash registers do not even have designated slots for them, and people often save them as keepsakes, gifts, or collectibles instead of spending them. Because they experience less wear and tear, fewer notes need to be replaced.

Think back to the last time you saw a $2 bill. If you encountered one at all, chances are it was being saved, collected, or given away rather than actively circulating through stores and banks.

The notes are also relatively inexpensive to manufacture. Each bill costs roughly two-tenths of a cent to print, significantly less than the nearly four cents it once cost to produce a penny before the one-cent coin was discontinued last year.

Although collectors will not be able to obtain newly printed 2026 $2 bills, there will still be several new currency items attracting attention this year.

Among them are special quarters and other commemorative coins—including pennies—celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Collectors may also encounter paper currency bearing President Trump’s signature, as well as continued discussion about a potential $250 bill featuring Trump.

{Matzav.com}

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