Donald Trump, shortly after being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, granted pardons and commutations to individuals convicted for their roles in the January 6, 2021, US Capitol events, according to a statement from the White House.
According to the statement,14 individuals received commutations for their sentences related to the January 6 events, while all other individuals convicted for offenses on that day were granted “a full, complete, and unconditional pardon.”
“Commute the sentences of the following individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, to time served as of January 20, 2025: Stewart Rhodes, Kelly Meggs, Kenneth Harrelson, Thomas Caldwell, Jessica Watkins, Roberto Minuta, Edward Vallejo, David Moerschel, Joseph Hackett, Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, Dominic Pezzola, and Jeremy Bertino”, the statement said.
Grant a full, complete, and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.”
According to CNN, the US President stated that approximately 1,500 individuals were granted pardons in connection to the case. “Approximately 1,500 received a pardon—full pardon,” Trump said in the Oval Office.
Notably, the 14 individuals who were granted commutations had been charged or convicted of seditious conspiracy and were identified as far-right extremists. They were also affiliated with organizations such as the “Oath Keepers” and “Proud Boys.”
The White House statement further detailed that the Attorney General would oversee the immediate issuance of certificates of pardon for the individuals granted full pardons, who were subsequently released from prison.
The events at the US Capitol in 2021 resulted in injuries to over 140 police officers during the seven-hour siege. The violence also led to the deaths of four Trump supporters in the mob, along with five police officers.
To date, more than 730 individuals have been convicted of misdemeanor offenses related to January 6, according to estimates from the Justice Department cited by CNN. Additionally, around 300 cases remain pending in court, with many individuals facing serious felony charges, including assaulting law enforcement officers.
Following the attack, the Justice Department and FBI launched a nationwide effort to locate and apprehend the rioters, resulting in the largest criminal investigation in US history. Prosecutors have charged over 1,580 individuals and secured approximately 1,270 convictions.
(ANI)