Official records from the U.S. Congress

Sen. Lindsey Graham Calls Trump's Pardons of 1,583 Violent Jan. 6 Rioters a 'Mistake', Fears More Violence

Jan 26, 2025, 05:53 PM

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has criticized President Donald Trump's decision to pardon those convicted of violent crimes during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, calling it 'a mistake.' Graham expressed his concerns on NBC News' 'Meet the Press,' stating that pardoning 1,583 people, including individuals who violently assaulted police officers during the riot, sends the wrong message and could lead to increased violence. He emphasized that while Trump had the legal authority to issue these pardons, the move was misguided, especially given that over 140 police officers were injured that day. Graham also drew parallels with former President Joe Biden's last-minute pardons for family members, suggesting that continued abuse of pardon power might prompt a review of the president's constitutional authority to grant pardons. Among those released was Stewart Rhodes, the former leader of the Oath Keepers. Trump issued nearly 1,600 pardons for Jan. 6 defendants shortly after being sworn into office, fulfilling a campaign promise but drawing criticism from law enforcement and some fellow Republicans.