Trump's plan to pardon over 1,000 convicted J6 protesters sparks criticism from Big Government
By arseniotoledo // 2025-01-07
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  • President-elect Donald Trump plans to pardon or commute sentences for individuals convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol protest, framing them as victims of political persecution and harsh treatment.
  • Legal experts, judges, and political opponents warn that such clemency undermines the rule of law, normalizes attacks on democratic institutions and sends a dangerous message.
  • Over 1,600 individuals have been charged, with nearly 1,000 convicted or pleading guilty; sentences range from months to 22 years for serious offenses like assault and seditious conspiracy.
  • Trump’s promise has energized his base, with allies like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene supporting clemency, while critics argue it distracts from pressing national issues and risks politicizing justice.
As President-elect Donald J. Trump prepares to return to the White House, his promise to pardon or commute the sentences of individuals convicted for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol protest has ignited a fierce debate over justice, democracy and the limits of presidential power. Trump has repeatedly claimed his desire to pardon Jan. 6 protesters. He told NBC's Kristen Welker in December that he would address the issue of pardoning Jan. 6 protesters on his "first day" in office, describing them as victims of political persecution and harsh treatment. The pledge, which could affect more than 1,000 individuals, has drawn sharp criticism from legal experts, federal judges and political opponents, who warn that such clemency would undermine the rule of law and send a dangerous message about the consequences of attacking democratic institutions. Since the Jan. 6, 2021 incident at the Capitol, the Department of Justice of outgoing President Joe Biden has charged more than 1,600 individuals in connection with the Capitol protest. Of those, nearly 1,000 have pleaded guilty or been convicted, with over 600 sentenced to prison terms ranging from a few months to 22 years for the most serious offenses, including assaulting police officers and seditious conspiracy. In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Trump condemned the violence, calling it a “heinous attack” and stating that those who broke the law “will pay.” However, his tone shifted dramatically as he began his 2024 campaign, framing the protesters as “patriots” and “hostages” who were unfairly persecuted. In his NBC interview, Trump said he would review all cases individually and focus on first pardoning nonviolent offenders. “These people have suffered. Their lives have been destroyed,” he said. “And yet, in Portland, where they burned down half the city… They don’t do anything.” (Related: Pardons and payback: A blueprint for Trump's DOJ to free the patriots and punish the real J6 plotters.) Trump’s promise has also become a rallying cry for his base, with allies like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) celebrating the prospect of clemency for “J6’ers.” However, critics argue that Trump’s focus on the protesters distracts from pressing national issues. Republican strategist John Feehery noted that Democrats “wasted time talking about a mostly peaceful protest that really only resonated with those who watch MSNBC.”

Judges and legal "experts" alarmed by Trump's pledge to extend pardon to J6 political prisoners

Trump’s pledge has alarmed legal observers and sitting judges, including some he appointed. United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court Judge Carl Nichols, appointed by Trump back in 2019, warned that “blanket pardons for all Jan. 6 defendants or anything close would be beyond frustrating and disappointing.” Similarly, Senior Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Royce Lamberth, appointed back in 1987 by former President Ronald Reagan, emphasized that “we cannot condone the normalization of the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot.” The Society for the Rule of Law, a group of conservative attorneys and former officials, echoed these concerns, stating that clemency for Jan. 6 defendants “would undermine the U.S. judiciary and criminal justice system and send a message to Americans that attacking U.S. democratic institutions is appropriate and justifiable.” As Trump prepares to take office, the fate of the Jan. 6 defendants remains uncertain. While he has indicated that he may exclude those convicted of violent acts, his statements have been inconsistent. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice continues to pursue cases related to the protest, emphasizing the need for deterrence. “Future would-be rioters must be deterred,” prosecutors have argued in court filings. Watch this Jan. 6 special episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses the need for President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration to immediately pardon all Jan. 6 political prisoners. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Merrick Garland goes full hypocrite after Hunter Biden pardon – threatens January 6 political prisoners if they accept pardons from Donald Trump. Biden mulls shielding Fauci and Cheney as Trump plans to pardon J6 patriots. Trump hints at pardon for J6 political prisoners after Joe Biden pardons his son. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com TheGuardian.com Brighteon.com
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