In a sweeping act of clemency, US President Donald Trump has pardoned or commuted the sentences of nearly 1,600 individuals charged or convicted in connection with the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
The executive action, taken shortly after his inauguration as the 47th president on Monday, signals a controversial start to his administration.
Among those granted clemency are 14 members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, far-right groups implicated in the events of that day. High-profile figures like Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, and former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, are included in the commutations.
“These are the hostages, approximately 1,500 for a pardon, full pardon,” Trump declared during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office. “This is a big one. These people have been destroyed. What they’ve done to these people is outrageous. There’s rarely been anything like it in the history of our country.”
The proclamation described the move as an effort to correct what Trump called a “grave national injustice” and to “begin a process of national reconciliation.”
High-Profile Cases
Stewart Rhodes, sentenced to 18 years for seditious conspiracy, and Enrique Tarrio, who received a 22-year sentence for a similar charge, were among the most notable beneficiaries. Despite not entering the Capitol themselves, both were found guilty of orchestrating and encouraging the violence. Tarrio’s mother announced on social media that her son would return home to Miami on Tuesday after his release from a federal prison in Louisiana.
Democratic Outrage
Trump’s blanket pardon sparked immediate criticism from Democrats, who accused him of undermining justice. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi condemned the decision as “an outrageous insult to our justice system and the heroes who suffered physical scars and emotional trauma as they protected the Capitol, the Congress, and the Constitution.”
Senator Patty Murray of Washington added, “It’s a sad day for America when a President who refused to relinquish power and incited an insurrection returns to office years later only to grant violent criminals a Presidential pardon or commutation.”
A Shift from Earlier Signals
Despite earlier indications that Trump’s administration would conduct case-by-case reviews of riot-related convictions, his executive order granted a “full, complete, and unconditional pardon” to most defendants. This sweeping action marked a departure from comments made by Vice-President JD Vance and Attorney General Pam Bondi, who both advocated for individualized evaluations.
Supporters of the pardoned individuals gathered outside the DC jail and other detention centers nationwide on Monday, celebrating the decision. “Freedom!” shouted one woman as she awaited news of the release of detainees Trump referred to as the “J6 hostages.”
Background on the Riot
The January 6, 2021, Capitol riot followed a rally near the White House, where Trump supporters protested the certification of Joe Biden’s presidential victory. The violence led to the deaths of five people, including one rioter, Ashli Babbitt, who was fatally shot by Capitol Police.
Approximately 1,583 individuals were charged in connection with the riot, with over 600 facing charges for assaulting law enforcement. The Department of Justice reports that weapons such as flagpoles, metal batons, and fire extinguishers were used against officers, leaving around 140 injured.
Path Forward
While critics view the pardons as a dangerous rewriting of history, Trump and his allies have framed them as a step toward healing the nation. For families of those released, the decision brought a sense of closure after years of legal battles.
“Defendants will begin leaving detention facilities tonight,” Derrick Storms, chief legal counsel for Capitol riot defendants, confirmed. “We expect freedom for many by midnight.”