Donald Trump’s recent declarations have once again stirred national controversy, signaling a potential sea change in the fate of the January 6 Capitol riot participants should he return to office. Trump has declared that pardoning individuals convicted for their roles in the attack would be one of his priority actions upon reclaiming the presidency.
“My first acts as your next President will be to Close the Border, DRILL, BABY, DRILL, and Free January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned!” Trump expressed in a Truth Social post. This assertion marks a stark escalation in his rhetorical support for those who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, whom he consistently refers to as “hostages.”
The former president, who has long insinuated that he would dismiss charges against the rioters, now places such pardons alongside other Day 1 priorities, including aggressive measures on oil and gas drilling and border security. Trump’s latest commentary coincides with the aftermath of a Republican-led House committee report investigating the insurrection, which recently challenged parts of ex-aide Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony regarding Trump’s behavior before the attack.
The Justice Department has charged more than 1,358 individuals from almost all 50 states for crimes related to the Capitol breach. With nearly 500 charged with the felony of assaulting or impeding law enforcement and many convictions, the implications of potential pardons are significant. Despite being supposed to face trial for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election, Trump’s legal status remains in limbo, with the Supreme Court scheduled to hear arguments concerning his immunity from prosecution.
In a town hall hosted by CNN, Trump suggested that his pardon initiative would include a “large portion” of the convicted individuals: “I am inclined to pardon many of them,” and “it’ll be very early on,” indicating an immediate agenda item if reelected. However, Trump did admit, “I can’t say for every single one, because a couple of them, probably they got out of control.”
Trump’s alignment with the rioters is evident, having even played the “J6 Prison Choir” song, featuring his voice and those of incarcerated rioters, at his first 2024 campaign rally. The potential for pardons not only carries implications for the individuals directly involved in the Capitol attacks but also raises broader questions about the impact on political violence and the rule of law in the United States.
The White House has staunchly opposed Trump’s stance, with press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre labeling the comparison of convicted rioters to hostages as “grotesque and offensive.” President Joe Biden also spoke out, declaring that“Trump’s mob wasn’t a peaceful protest. It was a violent assault.” “They were insurrectionists, not patriots. They weren’t there to uphold the Constitution; they were there to destroy the Constitution,” he added.
Relevant articles:
– Trump says pardoning Capitol attackers will be one of his first acts if elected again
– Trump Vows to Free Jan. 6 ‘Hostages’ as One of His ‘First Acts’ as President, Yahoo News UK, Tue, 12 Mar 2024 09:33:30 GMT
– How Trump’s promise to pardon Jan. 6 rioters raises the threat of extremism : NPR, NPR, Thu, 04 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT
– Trump says he would pardon a ‘large portion’ of Jan. 6 rioters, NBC News, Thu, 11 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT