Nancy Pelosi slams Trump’s ‘shameful’ pardons of Jan. 6 defendants

Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, strongly criticized President Donald Trump on Monday night for pardoning over 1,000 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol. Trump had promised in December to quickly pardon those charged in connection with the attack, and he followed through by signing pardons for approximately 1,500 defendants. Among those pardoned were the leaders of the extremist groups Oath Keepers and Proud Boys.

Pelosi condemned Trump’s actions as “shameful” and urged people to remember the bravery of the law enforcement officers who risked their lives to protect democracy during the Capitol riot. She expressed her outrage at the President’s decision to prioritize pardoning individuals who were involved in the violent attempt to subvert the peaceful transfer of power.

The Justice Department revealed that around 140 police officers were assaulted during the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021. This included officers from both the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department. Pelosi emphasized the physical and emotional trauma suffered by these officers and criticized Trump for betraying their sacrifice.

During his inaugural parade at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Trump announced his intention to issue pardons for the so-called “hostages.” He reiterated this pledge, stating that he would be signing pardons for a significant number of people in the Oval Office.

To date, approximately 250 individuals have been convicted by judges or juries for their involvement in the Capitol riot, with over 1,000 others pleading guilty to various charges. The swift pardons granted by Trump have sparked controversy and backlash from Pelosi and others who view them as an affront to justice and a betrayal of law enforcement officers.

In conclusion, Pelosi’s strong condemnation of Trump’s pardons underscores the ongoing tension and division surrounding the events of January 6, 2021. The pardons have reignited debate over accountability for the Capitol riot and the importance of upholding the rule of law. The impact of Trump’s actions continues to reverberate, raising questions about justice, democracy, and the future of American politics.