U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping pardons of Capitol rioters sparked polarizing reactions on Tuesday, with strong support from his Republican allies and harsh condemnation from Democrats.
Former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Trump’s decision to pardon participants in the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol “shameful.”
“The president’s actions are an outrageous insult to our justice system and to the heroes who suffered physical and emotional trauma protecting the Capitol, Congress, and the Constitution,” Pelosi said.
Michael Fanone, a former Washington police officer who was severely beaten and repeatedly shocked with a Taser by the pro-Trump mob, expressed feelings of betrayal.
“I’ve been betrayed by my country,” Fanone told CNN. “And I’ve been betrayed by those who supported Donald Trump. The leader of the Republican Party pardoned hundreds of violent cop assaulters. Six individuals who assaulted me will now walk free.”
The pardons, however, were celebrated by January 6 defendants and their Republican supporters.
Jacob Chansley, known as the “QAnon Shaman” for his distinctive horned headgear and face paint during the riot, expressed his gratitude on social media, posting, “I GOT A PARDON BABY! THANK YOU PRESIDENT TRUMP!!!” He added, “J6ers are getting released & JUSTICE HAS COME…”
Far-right Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene also praised Trump’s decision, writing on X, “It’s finally over. J6’ers are being released. Never forget what the Democrats did.”
On Monday, hours after being sworn in, Trump issued pardons to more than 1,500 individuals involved in the Capitol riot, including those convicted of assaulting police officers. He described them as “hostages” and ordered the dismissal of all pending cases against Capitol riot defendants.
Not all Republicans supported the move. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina criticized the decision, saying, “Anybody convicted of assault on a police officer—I can’t get there at all. I think it was a bad idea.” Others, like Vice President J.D. Vance, who had recently stated that those who committed violence on January 6 should not be pardoned, remained silent.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Trump appeared to hedge when asked if he agreed that assaulting police officers is unacceptable. “Sure,” he said initially, but when pressed for specifics, he responded, “We’ll take a look at everything,” while accusing the justice system of prioritizing political prosecutions over violent crimes.
Among those pardoned was David Dempsey, a California man described by prosecutors as one of the “most violent” rioters. Dempsey, who had been serving a 20-year sentence for assaulting officers with various objects, was released. Also pardoned were Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys, and Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the Oath Keepers. Both men had been convicted of seditious conspiracy, with Tarrio serving a 22-year sentence and Rhodes an 18-year sentence.
Tarrio’s pardon was celebrated on Proud Boys’ Telegram channels, with some chapters using it as a recruiting tool and pledging to support Trump’s agenda, including his promise to deport millions of migrants. Rhodes, upon his release, told reporters, “I feel vindicated. We did the right thing.”
The January 6 assault followed a speech by Trump near the White House, where he repeated false claims of a stolen 2020 election and urged his supporters to march on Congress. Though Trump was charged with conspiring to overturn the election results, the case was dropped after his November election victory, in accordance with Justice Department policy not to prosecute sitting presidents.