Former President Donald Trump has stated that if he were elected to a second term, one of his initial actions would be to “liberate” individuals who were convicted for their involvement in the January 6th assault on the U.S. Capitol. Trump maintains that these individuals are unjustly incarcerated.
On Monday night, he took to his social media platform to make a promise, presumably with regards to utilizing the presidential pardon power. This serves as yet another instance where he has consistently come to the defense of individuals who have been charged and convicted for their actions during the Capitol incident on January 6, 2021.
Trump did not provide a specific number of rioters he would pardon. However, he did mention last year that he was inclined to pardon many of them. He added that he couldn’t guarantee pardons for every single one, as some individuals may have gone beyond acceptable limits.
According to the Department of Justice, almost 1,400 individuals have been arrested and charged in relation to the events of January 6th. Out of these, around 800 have chosen to plead guilty.
According to the DOJ, 127 individuals have been charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or inflicting serious bodily harm on an officer.
By now, almost 500 defendants have already been given prison sentences. However, it’s important to note that the majority of these individuals will have completed their incarceration by January 2025, which coincides with the potential return of Trump to the White House in the event of his reelection.
Trump has minimized the severity of the violence that occurred on that day, labeling the defendants as “J6 hostages,” advocating for their release, and even attending fundraisers in their support.
During recent events, just moments before Trump takes the stage, his campaign has been featuring the song “Justice for All” by the self-proclaimed “J6 Prison Choir.” This unique group consists of men who are currently serving time for their involvement in the events of Jan. 6. As Trump recites the Pledge of Allegiance, the choir passionately sings the “Star Spangled Banner.”
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is consistently apprehending more individuals who are alleged to have engaged in acts of violence at the Capitol. These arrests are taking place on a regular basis, as new suspects are identified and brought into custody.
Several individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol attack have received significant sentences. Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison. Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the far-right group Oath Keepers, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for seditious conspiracy. Peter Schwartz from Pennsylvania has been sentenced to over 14 years, including charges of assault and civil disorder. Additionally, Thomas Webster, a retired New York City police officer, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for assaulting a Washington, D.C. officer during the events of that day.
The Biden campaign has criticized Trump’s recent endorsement of the defendants involved in the January 6 incident, accusing him of promoting political violence in his efforts to maintain his hold on power.
“The violent attack on our Capitol on January 6 is still fresh in the minds of the American people. They are fully aware of the danger Trump poses and are determined to prevent him from returning to the Oval Office. Come November, they will mobilize to safeguard our democracy and ensure Trump stays out of the White House,” stated Sarafina Chitika, spokesperson for the Biden campaign.
