Trump pardons nearly all Jan. 6 defendants on inauguration day
President Donald Trump made headlines on Monday night by pardoning nearly all of the defendants involved in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. This move came after Trump had promised to sign an executive order on the matter during his inaugural parade earlier in the day.
Sitting at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, Trump signed off on releasing over 1,500 individuals who were charged with crimes related to the violent events of Jan. 6, 2021. The order he signed required the Federal Bureau of Prisons to take immediate action upon receiving the pardons.
During his parade at Capital One Arena in Washington, Trump announced his intentions, stating, “Tonight I’m going to be signing on the J6 hostages, pardons to get them out. I’m going to the Oval Office and we’ll be signing pardons for a lot of people.” Among those pardoned was Enrique Tarrio, the former chairman of the Proud Boys, who was facing a 22-year sentence for seditious conspiracy.
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., condemned Trump’s actions, calling the pardons “shameful” and emphasizing the courage of law enforcement officers who protected the Capitol on that fateful day. Pelosi criticized Trump for prioritizing the release of individuals involved in the attack and betraying the efforts of those who defended democracy.
In addition to the pardons, Trump signed over 200 executive orders on his first day in office. These included withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement, a decision that was initially made under the Obama administration in 2015 and reaffirmed by Trump during his first term in 2020.
Earlier in the day, outgoing President Joe Biden issued a series of pardons, including one for retired Gen. Mark Milley, whom Trump had accused of treason. Biden also pardoned individuals involved in the Jan. 6 Select Committee investigation, which looked into the events surrounding the Capitol attack.
Overall, Trump’s decision to pardon the Jan. 6 defendants has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from political figures. The pardons are seen as a divisive move that undermines the efforts of law enforcement and the justice system.
As this story continues to develop, it is clear that Trump’s actions on his first day in office are setting the tone for his presidency. The pardons and executive orders he has signed are likely to have far-reaching implications and shape the course of his administration.
