Trump Pardons Nearly All Jan 6 Defendants Who Staged Violent Attack on Capitol

President Donald Trump on Monday pardoned approximately 1,500 January 6 defendants and prisoners, and commuted the sentences of 8 more, in an on camera Oval Office event after his inauguration.

The commutations and pardons included those convicted of attacking Capitol Police and committed other acts of violence during the January 6, 2021 riots on Capitol Hill.

“So this is January 6th. These are the hostages,” said Trump. “Approximately 1500 for a pardon. Full pardon.”

Trump added that they have “about 6 commutations in there, where we’re doing further research.”

“So this is a big one,” he said. “We hope they come out tonight, frankly. They’re expecting it.”

Soon after the White House released a proclamation online that declares:

This proclamation ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation.

The proclamation first lists those whose sentence are to be commuted, then moves on to pardons.

The Attorney General shall administer and effectuate the immediate issuance of certificates of pardon to all individuals described in section (b) above, and shall ensure that all individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, who are currently held in prison are released immediately. The Bureau of Prisons shall immediately implement all instructions from the Department of Justice regarding this directive.

I further direct the Attorney General to pursue dismissal with prejudice to the government of all pending indictments against individuals for their conduct related to the events at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. The Bureau of Prisons shall immediately implement all instructions from the Department of Justice regarding this directive.

This is a developing story and will be updated.