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Trump Pardons 1,500+ People Charged in Jan. 6 Insurrection Including Leaders of Proud Boys and Oath Keepers

President Donald Trump issued sweeping clemency to over 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack, a decision that has sparked widespread controversy. This move, which affected more than 200 incarcerated rioters, also led to the dismissal of dozens of pending cases, effectively halting the largest federal prosecution in U.S. history.

Trump’s clemency order pardoned both nonviolent participants and individuals convicted of violent offenses, including members of extremist groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys. These groups had been found guilty of seditious conspiracy for their roles in orchestrating the attack, which left more than 100 police officers injured and disrupted the certification of President Joe Biden’s election victory.

Among those released were Stewart Rhodes, the Oath Keepers’ leader, and Enrique Tarrio, the head of the Proud Boys, who had been serving 18- and 22-year prison sentences, respectively. Celebrations erupted outside the D.C. jail, where supporters played music and cheered as the released rioters gathered. Federal prosecutors in Washington filed motions to dismiss outstanding cases, marking an abrupt end to trials and ongoing investigations. Judges across the city’s federal courthouse canceled proceedings, while jurors and defendants were excused.

Trump defended the pardons, claiming the rioters endured “inhumane” prison conditions and had already “suffered enough.” However, critics argue the move signals a radical departure from accountability. Julian Zelizer, a historian at Princeton University, described the clemency as part of Trump’s broader effort to “rewrite” the narrative of January 6, using his executive power to shield those who acted in his name.

This decision stands in stark contrast to statements by Trump’s previous vice president and members of his own party, who had argued against pardoning violent offenders. Even Trump’s pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi, expressed opposition to pardoning rioters who attacked law enforcement.

Many pardoned individuals expressed gratitude and surprise. Kevin Loftus, who violated probation by attempting to join the Russian military, celebrated his pardon, calling it a moment he never expected as an average citizen. Meanwhile, leaders like Rhodes used their newfound freedom to continue promoting baseless claims about the 2020 election being stolen. Defense attorneys representing the rioters praised Trump’s decision, arguing that many defendants were victims of political bias and could not receive a fair trial in the nation’s capital.

The clemency order has raised concerns about the future of the U.S. justice system. Critics fear that the move undermines accountability for the Capitol attack and emboldens extremist groups. Trump’s actions have also drawn comparisons to his previous rhetoric minimizing the violence of January 6, framing it as a political expression rather than a violent insurrection. With the abrupt dismissal of ongoing cases, the Justice Department’s multi-year efforts to prosecute those involved in the attack now lie in ruins. The pardons have left many questioning how the country will reckon with the legacy of one of the darkest days in its democratic history.

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