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Trump Pardons Nearly 1,600 January 6 Rioters, Including Oath Keepers and Proud Boys Leaders

Jan 26, 2025, 02:21 PM

President Donald Trump has issued blanket pardons to nearly 1,600 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, including those convicted of violent offenses. This move has sparked concerns over potential increases in violence by far-right groups such as the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys, whose leaders Stewart Rhodes and Enrique Tarrio were among those pardoned. Trump's decision is seen by some as a signal of support for these groups, potentially encouraging further political violence. Vice President JD Vance, despite earlier statements against pardoning violent offenders, defended the pardons, arguing that the prosecutions were politically motivated and that many defendants were denied their constitutional rights. Critics, including law enforcement and former prosecutors, have expressed alarm over the implications of these pardons for public safety and the rule of law.