Trump Pardons Nearly 1,600 Capitol Riot Defendants on First Day in Office

In a bold move on his first day in office, President Donald Trump issued pardons or commutations for more than 1,500 people convicted or charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot.

The action comes four years after the violent event, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results.

Among those receiving clemency were 14 members of the far-right groups Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, including prominent figures like Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio.

Rhodes, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2023, and Tarrio, sentenced to 22 years for his role in the riot, are among those benefiting from the blanket pardon issued by the new president.

Trump also signed an order directing the Department of Justice to drop all pending cases against riot suspects, effectively ending legal proceedings for many individuals involved in the insurrection.

In a signing ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump described the pardons as a step toward “national reconciliation,” claiming the individuals had been treated unfairly and calling their prosecution “outrageous.”

The decision was met with swift backlash from Democrats. Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi condemned the pardons, calling them an insult to law enforcement officers who were injured while defending the Capitol and Congress.

Critics argue that Trump’s move attempts to rewrite the events of January 6 and undermine the justice system.

The pardons cover a wide range of offenses, with many defendants convicted of minor charges such as trespassing and disorderly conduct.

However, some have faced serious charges, including assaulting law enforcement officers and seditious conspiracy.

Despite the controversy surrounding the pardons, Trump’s supporters, including family members of the convicted, celebrated the release of what they call the “J6 hostages.”

This action marks a pivotal moment in Trump’s presidency, and it is expected to continue fuelling political debate as he navigates his time in office.