Trump to Issue Pardons for Nonviolent January 6 Rioters on First Day, Amid 1,600 Charged and 700 Felony Offenses

Jan 19, 2025, 05:21 PM

President-elect Donald Trump and his team have drafted a slate of pardons for individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, with plans to issue them on his first day in office, shortly after being sworn in as president. The pardons, which have been a topic of discussion since Trump's election victory, are intended to fulfill his promise to address the cases of those involved in the riot. The extent of the initial pardons remains unclear, but they are expected to be significant enough to be seen as a fulfillment of Trump's long-held commitment. Approximately 1,270 individuals have been convicted of January 6-related crimes, with the majority pleading guilty, and nearly 1,600 have been charged, including about 700 with serious felony offenses. Currently, a couple hundred are behind bars. Trump has indicated he will review the cases early in his term, potentially within the first few minutes of his presidency. The move has sparked debate, with some Republican allies suggesting a case-by-case approach, while others, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have emphasized the need to restore faith in the justice system. More than 140 police officers were injured during the riot, which also caused about $2.8 million in damages to the Capitol. The pardons are expected to focus on nonviolent offenders, though the specifics remain uncertain. The pardons do not erase criminal records but forgive the offenses and restore civil rights to the recipients.