WASHINGTON — President Trump on Monday night pardoned hundreds of participants in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He stayed true to his promise to pardon those involved in stopping the counting of electoral votes that day. The 78-year-old president, who signed the bill, told reporters in attendance that “about 1,500 people” had been pardoned after returning to the White House from inauguration festivities. “I hope they come out tonight.”
The newly sworn-in 47th president said he had issued “six commutations” in addition to the pardon, and declined to say whether the recipient had assaulted police.
“Let me just say this: They've been in prison for a long time now. We're seeing murderers in this country get two years, a year, maybe no reprieve. So. , they've been in prison for a long time already. These people have been destroyed. What they've done to these people is outrageous,” President Trump said.
“I think even the ones who were aggressive, in many cases they just happened to be outside instigators. But what do I know? But I think they were I think they were outside instigators. And obviously the FBI was involved.”
Justice Department files criminal charges 1,575 people in connection with the riots that erupted after President Trump told thousands of supporters in the final days of his first term that the 2020 election was being “stolen” from him.
When asked if anyone would not be eligible for a pardon, Trump said, “That would be a commutation of their sentence. We'll look at it, but maybe it'll stay like this, or maybe it'll be a full pardon.'' ” he said.
The order calls on the Federal Bureau of Prisons to immediately release the inmates.
“They have been treated very unfairly. The judges have been absolutely brutal. The prosecutors have been brutal. And no one in this country has ever treated anyone like that.” Trump spoke on the first day of his second term.
The 45th and 47th presidents, who were impeached by the House of Representatives seven days after the riot on charges of inciting the riot, said participants were treated unfairly compared to those who committed crimes in the 2020 anti-police riots. He said that
“What happened in Seattle, where they took over most of the city? What happened in Portland, where they burned the city down every day and people died? Nothing happened to anyone, but… They go after these people violently,” he said.
“This is Washington, D.C.. People go to court and say, “I have a great lawyer and I didn't do anything wrong,'' but they are almost immediately shackled and thrown in jail. . No, we're not going to allow that. ”
President Trump announced the plan before returning to the White House, telling thousands of supporters at an event that served as a stand-in for the traditional inaugural parade. Great hostages who did nothing – most of the time they did nothing wrong. ”
Trump had vowed on the campaign trail to consider pardons on a case-by-case basis, but he had long expressed anger that the rioters had been imprisoned for years, saying, “Within the first hour, there was no need to review pardons.'' We will start.” office. “
One non-violent criminal, Philip Sean Grillo of New York City, walked around the Capitol in early December and yelled “assault” into a megaphone when he was sentenced to a year in prison. Trump will forgive you.” .
Most of the charges related to illegal entry and disorderly conduct, but some received multi-year sentences for assault and other crimes.
Approximately 562 rioters have been sentenced to federal prison as of August 2024. According to the Department of Justice.
Proud Boy leader Enrique Tarrio received the maximum sentence of 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy, even though he was not at the Capitol on the day of the attack.
Four Trump supporters died in the riot, including 35-year-old Ashli Babbitt, who was shot and killed by police as she tried to climb through a smashed window in the Speaker's lobby.
Another Trump supporter, Roseanne Boyland, 34, collapsed and died in the Rotunda during a clash between rioters and police.
Two other Trump supporters, Benjamin Phillips, 50, and Kevin Gleason, 55, also died from medical emergencies during the riot.
Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, 42, a Trump supporter himself, died of a stroke the day after the attack. Two police officers died by suicide within days of the violence.
President Trump indicated he would pardon participants in the January 6 riot as early as 2022, before officially announcing his bid for re-election.
“If I run and win, I will treat people fairly after January 6th,” Trump said at a rally in Conroe, Texas, in January of that year.
“And if there is a need for amnesty, we will grant them amnesty,” he added. “Because they are being treated so unfairly.”
President Trump has said that a pardon will likely be a first-day action as he gets closer to assuming the White House again.
“I'm going to move very quickly. Day one,” President Trump told NBC's Kristen Welker, adding, “They've been there for years and they're putting us in a filthy, disgusting place that shouldn't even be allowed to open.” There is,” he added.
He noted that there may be “exceptions” for “radical” or “insane” people, but otherwise “this is a very troublesome system” and would not allow people to plead guilty. He said some people had no choice but to do so.
Trump was furious that former President Biden granted a sweeping pardon to his son Hunter, asking, “Does the pardon Joe gave Hunter include J-6 hostage, who has been in prison for years?” wrote Truth Social. This is truly an abuse and failure of justice! ”
