Trump grants SWEEPING PARDONS to Jan. 6 defendants

By kevinhughes // 2025-01-23

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President Donald Trump issued full pardons or commuted sentences for approximately 1,500 individuals charged or convicted in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, including high-profile figures like Enrique Tarrio and Stewart Rhodes.
Trump framed the pardons as correcting a "grave national injustice," calling the defendants "patriots" and "hostages" unfairly targeted by the Department of Justice, while critics argued the move undermines the rule of law and rewards violent behavior.
The pardons halted prosecutions of roughly 300 pending cases and reversed one of the largest federal prosecutions in U.S. history, reigniting debates over accountability and the legacy of the Capitol riot, which injured over 140 officers and caused significant damage.
The decision drew sharp criticism from Democrats, law enforcement and legal experts, with victims like Officer Michael Fanone expressing outrage, while defense attorneys praised Trump for granting clemency to their clients.
The pardons cap a tumultuous period tied to Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, raising concerns about accountability for political violence and the limits of presidential clemency, further polarizing the nation over the legacy of Jan. 6.

In a dramatic and polarizing decision, President Donald Trump granted full pardons or commuted sentences to approximately 1,500 individuals charged or convicted in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The move executed just hours after Trump was sworn in for a second term on Monday, Jan. 20, marks a sweeping reversal of one of the largest federal prosecutions in U.S. history and reignites debates over accountability, justice and the legacy of the Capitol riot. (Related: Trump’s pardon promise for Jan. 6 defendants sparks debate over justice, loyalty and democracy.) The pardons include high-profile figures such as Enrique Tarrio, former leader of the far-right Proud Boys, who was serving a 22-year sentence for seditious conspiracy, and Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, who had been sentenced to 18 years for the same charge. Trump framed the action as a correction of what he called a "grave national injustice," referring to the defendants as "hostages" and "patriots" who were unfairly targeted by the Department of Justice (DOJ). "This is a big one," Trump said in remarks delivered from the Oval Office. "These people have been destroyed. What they've done to these people is outrageous. There's rarely been anything like it in the history of our country." The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, law enforcement officers injured during the riot, and legal experts, who argue that it undermines the rule of law and rewards violent behavior. Trump's pardons come four years after the Capitol riot, a so-called "violent assault on democracy." The event, which was reported to have left more than 140 police officers injured and caused over $2.8 million in damages, occurred while Congress was certifying former President Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. The DOJ's investigation into the riot resulted in charges against more than 1,600 individuals, with over 1,100 cases adjudicated and more than 700 defendants serving time in prison. Among those pardoned were individuals convicted of assaulting police officers, obstructing Congress and conspiring to use force to prevent the peaceful transfer of power. Trump's action also includes an order to the attorney general to dismiss all pending indictments related to the riot, effectively halting the prosecution of roughly 300 cases. This move has been criticized as an attempt to erase the legal consequences of one of the most significant attacks on American democracy in modern history.

Pardons elicit mixed reactions

The pardons have elicited strong reactions from those directly affected by the riot. Former Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone, who blamed rioters for suffering a heart attack that day, expressed disbelief and anger upon learning that his attackers were among those pardoned. "This is what the American people voted for," Fanone told the Associated Press. "How do you react to something like that? I think they're cowards. Their strength was in their numbers and the mob mentality. And as individuals, they are who they are." Democrats have condemned the pardons as an affront to justice. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) called the move "an outrageous insult to our justice system and the heroes who suffered physical scars and emotional trauma as they protected the Capitol, the Congress and the Constitution." Meanwhile, attorneys for the Jan. 6 defendants praised Trump's decision. James Lee Bright, who represented Rhodes, said, "We are deeply thankful for President Trump for his actions today." The pardons cap a tumultuous chapter in American history that began with Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election and culminated in the Capitol riot. Federal prosecutors and congressional investigators have described the attack as the violent culmination of a broader scheme to subvert democracy and keep Trump in power. Senior Judge Royce Lamberth, who has presided over several Jan. 6 cases, emphasized the importance of preserving the historical record. "No matter what ultimately becomes of the Capitol Riots cases already concluded and still pending, the true story of what happened on Jan. 6, 2021, will never change," Lamberth said during a December sentencing. Trump's decision to pardon Jan. 6 defendants raises questions about the future of accountability for political violence and the limits of presidential clemency. While the Constitution grants the president broad authority to issue pardons, critics argue that using this power to absolve individuals convicted of violent crimes sets a dangerous precedent. As the pardons take effect, the nation remains deeply divided over the legacy of Jan. 6 and the role of accountability in preserving democracy. For Trump's supporters, the pardons represent a long-awaited vindication for those they view as political prisoners. For his critics, the move is a stark reminder of the enduring tensions between justice, power and the rule of law. Watch Alex Jones and his guests explaining why Trump must pardon all the J6 political prisoners and indict the Deep State ringleaders behind the false flag riot in this clip. This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

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Pardons elicit mixed reactions

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