President Trump, after returning to power, issued pardons to almost 1,600 individuals convicted for their roles in the January 6 Capitol riots. He characterized these individuals as having been unjustly treated and referred to them as 'hostages.' In a surprising shift, he commuted the sentences of 14 insurrectionists still imprisoned and mandated the dismissal of all pending indictments against them. Jacob Chansley, known as the 'QAnon Shaman,' celebrated his pardon publicly, indicating a potential rise in support for right-wing extremism due to Trump's actions.
In Trump's telling, the people he pardoned were viciously and unfairly punished for what happened at the Capitol. Yesterday, he called the rioters "hostages."
Chansley posted on X last night, "I GOT A PARDON BABY! NOW I AM GONNA BUY SOME MOTHA FU*KIN GUNS!!!"
Trump’s decision to grant clemency to nearly 1,600 insurrectionists is sending a clear message to right-wing extremists, showcasing a notable shift in his administration’s approach.
Paired with his order for the attorney general to dismiss "all pending indictments," Trump effectively let everyone convicted for their actions on January 6 off the hook.
Collection
[
|
...
]