Jan. 6 rioters finally have the last laugh as President Donald Trump issued pardons and commuted sentences of those linked to the attack on the U.S. Capitol. While the pardon was expected by many, they did not expect how wide its scope would be.
It even includes people convicted of assaulting police officers. The act is one of the first things Trump got out of the way as he began his regime, and there have been mixed feelings about it. While some have applauded the move, others have strongly criticized it.
How Many Rioters That Were Charged Got Pardons?
On Monday, his first day in office, President Donald Trump issued about 1,500 pardons. He commuted the sentences of 14 people linked to the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, which saw a mob storm the building amid Trump’s claims that the 2020 presidential election was rigged against him.
Among those whose sentences got commuted were individuals associated with the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, who were convicted of seditious conspiracy.
He also issued “a full, complete, and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021,” a category that covered people who assaulted cops.
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“This is a big one,” Trump said in the Oval Office as he signed the document. “We hope they come out tonight, frankly,” he reportedly added.
The family of Enrique Tarrio, Proud Boys leader, has confirmed that he was released late Monday from FCI Pollock, a medium-security federal prison in Louisiana. Tarrio was expected to serve 22 years in federal prison for his conviction.
Can Trump Pardon Jan 6 Rioters?
Many people ask this question after hearing the pardon news. Republican senators have been struggling to develop a suitable defense for Trump’s action. Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, who has been vocal in the past about Jan. 6 rioters getting a “blanket pardon,” said, “I just can’t agree” with Trump’s decision.
He added Trump’s action “raises a legitimate safety issues on Capitol Hill” before focusing on attacking former President Joe Biden’s pardons in his final hours as president.
Most GOP senators had hopes the pardons would only be available to only nonviolent offenders, so when they were asked direct questions about whether they agreed with what Trump did, most largely attempted to avoid them. They argued it was up to the president to use his ability to pardon at his discretion.
Meanwhile, Democrats have been voicing out as well. Nancy Pelosi, who was the speaker of the House during the attack, is one of those who spoke up. She tagged Trump’s actions “an outrageous insult to our justice system” and the law enforcement officers who protected the Capitol that day.
“It is shameful that the President has decided to make one of his top priorities the abandonment and betrayal of police officers who put their lives on the line to stop an attempt to subvert the peaceful transfer of power,” her statement read.
“Despite the President’s decision, we must always remember the extraordinary courage and valor of the law enforcement heroes who stood in the breach and ensured that democracy survived on that dark day.”
How Many Jan. 6 Rioters Are in Jail?
At least 1500 Jan. 6 rioters were in federal custody up until Monday, when Trump issued the sweeping pardon. Further investigation into the riot and those who took part have effectively ended as a result of the pardons.
Republicans have been vague on where they stand regarding Trump’s actions. However, they will soon have to declare where they stand. Will it be in support of Trump, who just gave a blanket pardon to convicted rioters, or against him?
The attack on the Capitol, which interrupted the peaceful transfer of power, is regarded as one of the darkest, most impactful moments in American history.
What Are the Jan 6 Rioters Charged With?
Events of that day led to the largest FBI investigation ever. Criminal charges were leveled against more than 1,500 people, and criminal convictions against more than 1,100 defendants. Many low-level riot defendants were also sentenced to probation.
Trump’s decision to pardon the rioters came hours after his return to the White House on Monday. It means people convicted of violent attacks on police, as well as leaders of far-right extremist groups from the dreadful day walk free.
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Trump never accepted Biden’s victory, convinced it was all rigged against him. The rioters went as far as storming the capitol and attacking cops. With the pardons, Trump begins a years-long mission to rewrite the history of the Jan. 6 attack, which left more than 100 police officers injured by the angry mob of Trump supporters.
The speed and scope of the pardons have led to a rapid halt of the Justice Department’s attempts to bring the guilty parties to justice.
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