Former President Donald Trump defended his decision to grant blanket pardons to over 1,500 individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, arguing that many received sentences that were 'ridiculous and excessive.' He also aimed criticism at former President Joe Biden for his pre-departure pardons granted to members of the January 6 committee.
President Trump defended his decision to grant blanket pardons to the more than 1,500 people who faced prosecution for the attack on the U.S. Capitol four years ago, stating that many were serving sentences he deemed 'ridiculous and excessive.' Speaking to reporters from the White House on Tuesday, Trump said he issued the pardons because in many cases, 'these people have already served a long period of time, and I made a decision to give a pardon.
' Trump issued the pardons during a whirlwind first day back in office on Monday, in an order that granted 'a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.' His order included a pardon for Enrique Tarrio, the former chairman of the Proud Boys, as well as a commutation for former Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes, who like Tarrio was convicted for the rarely used charge of seditious conspiracy. Trump sought to sidestep criticism about the pardons, saying that his supporters were prosecuted and sent to prison even though 'you have murderers who aren't charged all over.' 'Murderers get no time. You take a look at some of these . They go after political opponents, but they don't go after people that shoot people in the street,' Trump said. At the same time, he sought to redirect criticism to former President Joe Biden for his decision in the final moments of his term to grant preemptive pardons to members of Congress and staff who served on the Jan. 6 committee, as well as to several members of his family. 'Joe Biden gave a pardon yesterday to a lot of criminals. These are criminals that he gave a pardon to, and you should be asking that question,' Trump said.Prior to leaving office, Biden said the pardons were necessary because of the threat of 'unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions' by the incoming Trump administration. Trump's pardons drew a mixed reaction, with some praising his decision to show leniency, while others criticized it as an attempt to undermine the rule of law. Some Republicans, while generally supportive of Trump's actions, expressed concern about the pardons for those who committed violence on January 6. 'Many of them, probably it was the right thing to do, they made a bad choice,' said Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. 'But anybody who was convicted of assault on a police officer, I just can't get there at all. I think it was a bad idea.' Maine's Susan Collins drew a similar distinction between pardons for those who committed violence on Jan. 6 and those who did not. 'I do not support pardons given to people who engaged in violence on Jan. 6, including assaulting police officers, or breaking windows to get into the Capitol, for example.' Meanwhile, Alaska's Lisa Murkowski said she was 'disappointed' by the decision, adding, 'I do fear the message that is sent to these brave men and women that stood by us.
TRUMP CAPITOL ATTACK PARDONS JOE BIDEN JANUARY 6 POLITICAL CRITICISM
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
President-elect Donald Trump pays respects to former President Jimmy Carter in the Capitol RotundaPresident-elect Donald Trump paid his respects on Wednesday as President Jimmy Carter lay in state at the Capitol Rotunda as part of state funeral rites.
Read more »
Trump likely to sign executive orders at Capitol, then at Capitol One Arena, sources sayAdvisers told ABC News he plans on more than 200 on his first day in office.
Read more »
President Donald Trump pardoned these North Texans who stormed the U.S. CapitolRoughly 40 North Texas residents are among those who received pardons from President Donald Trump in connection to charges stemming from rioting at the U.S....
Read more »
President-elect Donald Trump joins visitors to Jimmy Carter's casket in Capitol RotundaPresident-elect Donald Trump paid his respects Wednesday as President Jimmy Carter lay in state at the Capitol Rotunda as part of state funeral rites.
Read more »
President-elect Donald Trump joins visitors to Jimmy Carter’s casket in Capitol RotundaPresident-elect Donald Trump, who has alternated among praising, criticizing and mocking Jimmy Carter, came Wednesday to the Capitol Rotunda to pay his...
Read more »
Gov. Greg Abbott orders flags raised at Texas Capitol for President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugurationAs Texas lawmakers tackle the state’s stance on THC, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller shares his perspective on the controversial issue.
Read more »