Sharing the Facts About Pardons for Jan. 6 Rioters
The Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was the violent result of a monthslong criminal conspiracy to overturn an election, undermine the will of the American voters, and block the peaceful transfer of power.
It caused very real, tangible harm. Nine Americans died in connection to the attack. More than 100 law enforcement officers were injured in the line of duty. Rioters caused millions of dollars of damage. More than 1,200 people were convicted or pleaded guilty in federal court for actions that broke the law and deserve accountability.
On the first day of his second term, President Trump pardoned or commuted the sentences of everyone convicted of crimes related to the attack. About 1,500 people had their charges dropped, and 14 people—including leaders of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, two extremist militia groups—had their sentences commuted.
Americans overwhelmingly oppose pardons for those who committed violent crimes while storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Here are some key takeaways about pardons for those convicted for participation in the January 6th attack, to help remind people of the serious crimes committed that day and the threat to democracy it posed:
- The people who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, caused real harm. Their actions resulted in the death of nine Americans, injury to nearly 150 law enforcement officers, and millions of dollars’ worth of damage. More than 1,000 individuals have been convicted for those crimes.
- There are consequences for breaking the law. People who chose to break the law on Jan. 6—especially those who contributed to the chaos and violence—must be held accountable for their actions. Without consequences, we risk more political violence in the future.
- Americans overwhelmingly oppose pardons for January 6 crimes, especially for people who participated in violence against law enforcement officers. That’s true of Republicans, Democrats, and independents. Americans are committed to a safe democratic process.
- Political violence in the United States is unacceptable. As Americans, we resolve our political differences by voting. That’s why it’s so important to keep our elections free, fair, and safe.