President Donald Trump on January 6, 2021, pardoned more than 1,500 Americans charged with crimes related to the protests at the U.S. Capitol. On his first day in office on Monday, President Trump granted a “total, complete and unconditional” blanket pardon for the protesters. , he called them “political hostages.”
“This declaration… begins the process of national reconciliation.”
He also commuted the sentences of 14 other people convicted in connection with the case. This means that although they were sentenced to prison, they were still convicted. The individuals are Stewart Rhodes, Kelly Meggs, Kenneth Harrelson, Thomas Caldwell, Jessica Watkins, Roberto Minuta, Edward Vallejo, David Murschel, Joseph Hackett, Ethan Nordean, and Joseph Biggs. , Zachary Lehr, Dominic Pezzola, and Jeremy Bertino.
“This declaration ends the gross national injustices perpetrated against the American people over the past four years and begins a process of national reconciliation,” a White House statement said. are.
The proclamation also assures the Attorney General that inmates taken into custody on January 6th will be immediately released, and that any inmates who were taken into custody on January 6th will be released immediately and will be charged with “acts related to events at or near the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. We urge the government to seek dismissal with prejudice of all pending charges against individuals.” January 6, 2021. ”
Blaze News investigative reporter Steve Baker, one of the reporters with pending charges, said he was “emotional” about the possibility of the charges against him being closed.
“They were going to destroy my life,” Baker said. “They couldn't do that. They couldn't do that.”
“So many people lost everything,” he added. These people lost their homes, freedoms, and livelihoods simply by walking “through the open doors of the Capitol on January 6th.”
Despite the pardon, questions remain about some of the victims of what Baker described as “the weaponization of the Biden Justice Department,” especially those who have already served their sentences.
Regarding those with pending indictments, President Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has not yet taken office, to “seek their removal.” But it remains unclear what the next steps will be if the judge fails to comply.
Photo courtesy: ©White House
First publication date is January 21, 2025.
