Trump’s pardons for January 6 defendants fulfill his campaign promise, sparking debate.
He signed around 1,500 pardons after a day of inaugural events, telling reporters he hoped the pardoned individuals would come out that night. Trump, at an event that replaced the usual inaugural parade due to bad weather, said many of these people didn’t really do anything wrong.
He pointed out that the January 6 participants were treated unfairly compared to people involved in protests against police brutality in 2020. Trump mentioned cities like Portland and Seattle, where he felt the response to riots was much less severe.
The Justice Department charged over 1,500 people related to the Capitol riot, with some facing serious charges like assaulting police. It’s unclear how many of those pardoned will be released, given the different levels of their offenses.
During his campaign, Trump promised to review each case individually, expressing frustration over the lengthy sentences some rioters received. He hinted at this move during a rally in D.C., where the crowd cheered at the mention of pardons for the “J6 hostages.”
Many of those charged were for minor offenses like unlawful entry, but some received long sentences for more serious crimes. For instance, Proud Boy leader Enrique Tarrio got 22 years for seditious conspiracy, even though he wasn’t at the Capitol that day.
The riot was deadly, with four Trump supporters losing their lives, including Ashli Babbitt, who was shot while trying to enter a restricted area. Trump has been vocal about his plans for pardons since 2022, promising fair treatment for those involved in the January 6 events.
As he prepares to take office again, he’s made it clear that he wants to act quickly on these pardons, emphasizing the harsh conditions many have faced in prison. He even compared the situation to the recent pardon of Hunter Biden, questioning the fairness of the justice system for January 6 participants.
