Commutated sentences and granted full pardons to hundreds of Jan 6 rioters
January 20, 2025
Irreversible Damage
Founders' Principles Violated
Guardrails Violated
Why Level 5?
Irreversible system damage: Mass pardons of individuals convicted of violent crimes related to attack on U.S. Capitol undermine rule of law and judicial process. Multiple guardrails bypassed: rule of law, separation of powers, institutional oversight. Permanent damage to respect for democratic institutions and rule of law.
What Happened
Context
President Trump signed executive orders on January 20, 2025, commuting sentences and granting full pardons to hundreds of individuals convicted or still being prosecuted for their roles in the January 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol as Congress convened to certify Biden's victory over Trump in the 2020 election.
Action Taken
Signed executive orders on January 20, 2025 commuting sentences and granting full pardons to approximately 1,500 individuals convicted or still being prosecuted for their roles in the January 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol. The pardons included individuals convicted of assaulting police officers, destroying property, and sedition conspiracy. The pardons also included commutations for 14 leaders of extremist groups including Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Critics argued the pardons undermined the rule of law and sent a message that political violence would be excused. The pardons bypassed normal Department of Justice pardon review process and ordered all pending Jan 6 cases to be dismissed with prejudice.
In His Own Words
"These are patriots who were wrongfully prosecuted."
"The January 6 defendants were victims of political persecution."
"We must right the wrongs done to these American patriots."
What's Wrong
Mass pardons of individuals convicted of violent crimes related to attack on U.S. Capitol bypassed normal Department of Justice pardon review process. Pardons granted without individual case review or consideration of victims' interests. The pardons undermined judicial process and rule of law by excusing political violence. Critics argued the pardons sent message that attacks on democratic institutions would be excused.
Impact
Legal: Undermines judicial process and rule of law by excusing political violence. Approximately 1,500 individuals pardoned, including those convicted of assaulting police officers and sedition conspiracy. Institutional: Pardons sent message that attacks on democratic institutions would be excused. Operational: All pending Jan 6 cases ordered dismissed with prejudice. Political: Bipartisan condemnation of pardons as undermining rule of law.