President Trump on Monday used his clemency powers to pardon more than 1,500 supporters convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, marking a significant reversal of what had been the largest investigation and prosecution in the Justice Department’s history.
The move came on Trump’s first day in office and included a directive for the attorney general to seek the dismissal of approximately 450 pending Jan. 6 cases.
Trump, who has described the rioters as “patriots” and “hostages,” criticized the Justice Department for what he called politically motivated prosecutions. “These individuals were treated unfairly by a system that sought to silence and punish them for their beliefs,” Trump stated. He framed the pardons as the end of “a grave national injustice” and a step toward “national reconciliation.”
More than 1,200 individuals had been convicted in connection with the events of January 6, including approximately 250 for assault-related offenses. Hundreds of others faced lesser charges such as misdemeanor trespassing. To date, over 1,000 rioters have been sentenced, with more than 700 receiving jail or prison time. The remainder faced penalties such as probation, community service, home detention, or fines. Of those charged, about 250 were convicted at trial, and over 1,020 pleaded guilty to crimes as of January 1. Only two defendants were acquitted of all charges in bench trials, while no jury has fully acquitted a Capitol riot defendant.
The pardons follow the recent dismissal of Trump’s own January 6-related charges, citing the Justice Department’s policy against prosecuting sitting presidents. The scope of the clemency delivers a significant blow to federal efforts to continue the political persecution of participants involved in the riot.
