In one of his first official acts after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, Donald J. Trump signed a sweeping order granting full pardons to approximately 1,500 individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Referring to them as “hostages,” Trump signed the executive clemency orders in the Oval Office, fulfilling a campaign promise to free his supporters who participated in the riot, which sought to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
“We hope they get them. We hope they come out tonight,” Trump said while signing the documents, emphasizing that the Bureau of Prisons had been instructed to act immediately to release those granted clemency.
According to administration officials, the executive action includes:
- Full pardons for approximately 1,500 individuals convicted of various charges related to the January 6 riot, including obstruction of an official proceeding, trespassing, and assaulting law enforcement officers.
- Six commutations for individuals whose cases require further review, with the potential for full pardons following additional investigation.
“We are looking at different things, but the commutations would be the ones we’ll take a closer look at,” a White House official explained, indicating that some cases required further scrutiny before final decisions are made.
The order mandates the immediate release of those pardoned and commuted, with Trump directing officials to expedite the process to ensure individuals could be freed as soon as possible.
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