Official White House press release or executive orders published on January 20, 2025

JD Vance Opposes Pardons for Violent January 6 Rioters, Supports Trump's Plan for Peaceful Protesters

Jan 12, 2025, 04:55 PM

Vice President-elect JD Vance has stated that individuals who committed violence during the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, should not be pardoned. In an interview on 'Fox News Sunday,' Vance emphasized that the decision on pardons is 'very simple,' asserting that those who 'protested peacefully' should be pardoned, while those who engaged in violence 'obviously' should not. He acknowledged a 'bit of a gray area' in some cases but maintained a clear distinction between peaceful protesters and those who used violence. This stance comes as President-elect Donald Trump has promised to issue pardons to many involved in the riot on his first day in office, starting January 20. More than 1,500 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the event, which resulted in over 100 injured police officers and disrupted the certification of the 2020 election results. Vance has responded to criticism from supporters of the rioters, defending his position and clarifying that both he and Trump are committed to reviewing each case individually, particularly those involving individuals who were provoked or received unfair trials.