Public opinion polls and media analysis

Federal Judges, Including Obama and Clinton Appointees, Criticize Trump's Pardons of 1,500 January 6 Rioters

Jan 22, 2025, 08:30 PM

Federal judges in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia have publicly criticized President Donald Trump's recent pardons and commutations of over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Judge Beryl Howell, an Obama appointee, rejected the notion of a 'national injustice' in the prosecutions, asserting that no such injustice occurred and that the pardons undermine the rule of law. Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, a Clinton appointee, emphasized that the pardons do not alter the 'truth' of the events, which are documented in videos, trial transcripts, and judicial opinions. Judge Tanya Chutkan, also an Obama appointee, highlighted the tragic outcomes of the riot, including the injury of more than 140 officers, and stressed that the dismissals cannot undo the damage caused. The judges' statements reflect a significant judicial pushback against the pardons, which fulfilled Trump's campaign promise, underscoring the historical record of the events.