President-elect Donald Trump and his administration are said to have prepared a roster of potential pardons for individuals implicated in the January 6 protests, with the possibility of these pardons being issued as soon as Inauguration Day.
This development follows the refusal of House Speaker Mike Johnson to take a definitive position on whether those who attacked law enforcement officers during the January 6 demonstration should receive pardons.
In a conversation with NBC, Johnson echoed Trump's sentiments, stating that such instances "need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis." Johnson further elaborated, Every case needs to be evaluated, as he said, but what President Trump is getting at is the lack of faith that people have right now in our system of justice. As reported by The Post Millennial, Trump and his team have allegedly compiled a list of potential pardons for those involved in the January 6 events, which could be implemented as early as the day of his inauguration.
Trump has promised "major pardons" for many of those implicated in the 2021 incident, a pledge that has drawn criticism from those who perceive the event as an "insurrection." During his 2024 campaign, Trump expressed empathy for nonviolent participants, criticizing their extended sentences. However, he has yet to outline the criteria for granting pardons or early releases to the nearly 1,600 individuals charged.
Trump's statements have led some of the January 6 defendants to request delays in their court proceedings, while others have initiated campaigns for clemency. Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has voiced his support for clemency for nonviolent offenders, but has firmly rejected the idea for those who assaulted law enforcement or caused damage. Speaking to USA TODAY, Hawley stated, For those kind of folks whose defense was, I didnt realize, I thought the Capitol was open. The Capitols a public building; we were not the first ones in, pardons or commutations would be appropriate. Im against it for people who assaulted cops, threw stuff at cops, broke down doors, broke windows."
The unfolding situation raises questions about the future of those charged in relation to the January 6 events, and the potential implications of these proposed pardons. It also underscores the ongoing debate about the nature of the protests and the appropriate response to those involved. As the nation awaits the inauguration of President-elect Trump, the issue of these potential pardons remains a contentious point of discussion.
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