Hours after taking office, President Donald Trump grants clemency to 1,500 individuals, including far-right extremists, sparking widespread debate.
Washington, DC [US], January 21: Just hours after being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump announced pardons and commutations for individuals charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riots, according to a statement from the White House.
The sweeping action included 14 commutations for individuals convicted of seditious conspiracy and a full pardon for approximately 1,500 people convicted of offences during the Capitol riots.
Details of the Clemency
The White House statement specified the names of individuals whose sentences were commuted, including prominent members of the far-right groups Oath Keepers and Proud Boys.
“Commute the sentences of the following individuals convicted of offences related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, to time served as of January 20, 2025,” the statement read, naming Stewart Rhodes, Kelly Meggs, Jessica Watkins, and others.
“Grant a full, complete, and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offences related to the events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021,” it continued.
Trump confirmed the scale of the pardons during an Oval Office address, stating, “Approximately 1,500 [individuals] received a full pardon.”
Far-Right Extremists Included
According to CNN, many of the 14 individuals granted commutations were leaders or affiliates of far-right organizations, including the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, convicted of seditious conspiracy.
The Justice Department and FBI’s investigation following the Capitol attack had charged over 1,580 individuals, leading to 1,270 convictions. The event, which saw a seven-hour siege of the Capitol, resulted in injuries to 140 police officers, the deaths of four Trump supporters, and five police officers.
Legal and Social Implications
The pardons have drawn sharp reactions. While some supporters see this as a move to unite and forgive, critics argue it undermines the accountability needed for the Capitol attack.
The Justice Department’s investigation remains the largest in US history, with 300 cases still pending in court. Many individuals face serious felony charges, including assaulting law enforcement officers.
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