WASHINGTON, USA – President-elect Donald Trump is preparing to issue a sweeping slate of pardons for individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
According to two sources familiar with the plans, the pardons will be among Trump’s first actions after being sworn in as president on Monday, January 20, 2025.
The extent of the pardons remains unclear, but one source described them as a move to fulfill Trump’s longstanding promise to supporters.
“I’ll be looking at J6 early on, maybe the first nine minutes,” Trump said in a December interview with Time Magazine.
A Divisive Issue
Approximately 1,270 people have been convicted of January 6-related crimes, with most pleading guilty. Around 200 individuals are currently behind bars.
The attack, which resulted in $2.8 million in damages to the Capitol and injuries to more than 140 police officers, has remained a flashpoint in U.S. politics.
Vice President-elect J.D. Vance stated last week that those accused of violence should not be pardoned but acknowledged a “gray area” in some cases.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, echoed that sentiment, saying, “Peaceful protesters should be pardoned, but violent criminals should not.”
Johnson refrained from committing to specific cases, adding that each would need to be evaluated individually.
Political and Legal Backdrop
The federal government’s prosecution of January 6 rioters began under Trump’s first administration, with his appointees leading the Department of Justice and FBI.
At the time, Trump condemned the rioters, stating, “To those who broke the law, you will pay.”
However, since announcing his bid for reelection, Trump has shifted his tone, framing the prosecutions as politically motivated.
Trump’s approach to the pardons is expected to focus on nonviolent offenders, a stance echoed by key Republican allies like Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan.
“The president has complete authority to pardon who he wants,” Jordan told CNN. “But I think he’s going to focus on those … who didn’t commit any violence.”
Pressure from Support Groups
Since his election victory, Trump has faced pressure from January 6 support groups and family members of convicted rioters to grant broad clemency.
These groups argue that even those convicted of violent acts should be pardoned, framing the prosecutions as unjust.
Targeted pardons for nonviolent offenders, as some GOP lawmakers advocate, could anger these groups, which remain an influential part of Trump’s political base.
Challenges and Implications
Some federal judges have blocked January 6 defendants from attending Trump’s inauguration, citing security concerns.
Prosecutors argued that allowing convicted rioters to return to Washington, D.C., could endanger police officers.
Pardons, while forgiving the offense and restoring civil rights such as voting and gun ownership, do not erase criminal records or overturn convictions.
Critics argue that granting clemency to January 6 offenders could undermine the justice system and set a dangerous precedent.
With over 700 defendants charged with serious felonies, including assaulting police officers, the issue of who will receive pardons—and under what criteria—remains deeply polarising.
Looking Ahead
Trump’s promise to revisit January 6 cases early in his presidency underscores his focus on addressing grievances among his base.
However, the political and legal fallout from these pardons is likely to reignite debates about accountability, justice, and the rule of law in the United States.
