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Donald Trump returned to the presidency on Monday and immediately fulfilled a major campaign promise by pardoning nearly all individuals charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
The decision, announced just hours after his inauguration, underscores Trump’s commitment to defending his supporters and addressing what he has repeatedly called the unjust treatment of those involved in the attack.
During an Oval Office signing ceremony, Trump revealed that he had issued approximately 1,500 “full, complete, and unconditional pardons” for individuals charged in connection with the riot. This represents the majority of the 1,583 total defendants, with many currently serving prison sentences for offenses ranging from unlawful entry to assaulting law enforcement officers.
Trump described the prosecution of these individuals as “outrageous,” characterizing them as “political prisoners” and “hostages.”
Among those pardoned were prominent figures such as Enrique Tarrio, the former Proud Boys leader sentenced to 22 years for seditious conspiracy, and Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, who had been serving an 18-year sentence.
Tarrio was granted a full pardon, while Rhodes’ sentence was commuted to time served. Rhodes’ legal team expressed gratitude for the commutation but voiced hope for a future full pardon or a successful appeal of his conviction.
Trump’s pardons will result in the imminent release of hundreds of prisoners, many of whom were convicted of violent crimes. Additionally, Trump ordered the Department of Justice to dismiss pending charges against approximately 470 individuals whose cases have not been fully adjudicated.
This move effectively halts prosecutions and signifies a sharp policy shift under his administration.
The decision came amid lingering controversy surrounding the final hours of the Biden administration, which saw former President Joe Biden issuing preemptive pardons for members and staff of the House Select Committee that investigated the Capitol attack.
Biden’s actions drew criticism from Trump, who labeled them a political ploy aimed at shielding his allies.
Trump has long referred to the January 6 defendants as victims of a politicized justice system, pledging during his campaign to secure their freedom. “What they’ve done to these people is outrageous,” Trump said, reiterating his belief that many of the defendants “didn’t do anything wrong.”
His allies, however, appeared divided over the extent of the clemency. Vice President J.D. Vance recently stated that individuals who committed acts of violence should not be pardoned, while Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned attacks on law enforcement during her confirmation hearings.
Despite these concerns, Trump remained steadfast in his defense of the January 6 defendants, promising his supporters that they would see “a lot of action” regarding those he referred to as “hostages.”
Trump emphasized that his clemency decisions were driven by action rather than rhetoric, a message intended to resonate with his political base.
The pardons also reignite debate over the role of accountability and justice in addressing one of the most divisive events in recent U.S. history.
Critics argue that Trump’s actions undermine the rule of law and embolden extremism, while supporters view the pardons as a correction of what they see as an unfair and politically motivated prosecution effort.
With the pardons marking one of Trump’s first official actions in his second term, the move signals a return to the controversial and polarizing leadership style that characterized his first presidency.
As his administration takes shape, Trump’s decisions are expected to continue drawing sharp divisions and intense scrutiny across the political spectrum.
