Trump Pardons Jan. 6 Rioters

President Donald Trump has pardoned approximately 1,500 of his supporters charged in the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack, utilizing his sweeping clemency powers on his first day back in office. This move dismantles the largest investigation and prosecution in Justice Department history. The pardons were expected following Trump's years-long campaign to rewrite the history of the January 6 attack, which left over 100 police officers injured and threatened the peaceful transfer of power.

Trump also commuted the prison sentences of leaders of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys convicted of seditious conspiracy for plots to keep him in power after losing the 2020 election. Furthermore, he directed the attorney general to seek the dismissal of about 450 pending cases against January 6 defendants.

The pardons come weeks after Trump's own January 6 case was dismissed due to the Justice Department's policy against prosecuting sitting presidents. Over 1,200 people have been convicted in the riot, including approximately 250 individuals convicted of assault charges. Hundreds of January 6 defendants who didn't engage in violence were charged with misdemeanor trespassing offenses, with many serving little to no time behind bars.

The violence on January 6 has been extensively documented, showing rioters armed with poles, bats, and bear spray overwhelming police, shattering windows, and sending lawmakers into hiding. Police were dragged into the crowd and beaten, with officers fearing for their lives as the mob hurled insults and obscenities.

Of the over 1,500 people charged, about 250 have been convicted of crimes by a judge or jury after a trial. At least 1,020 had pleaded guilty to crimes as of January 1, with over 1,000 rioters already sentenced, including over 700 receiving time behind bars.