Vice President-elect J.D. Vance said Sunday on Fox News that the incoming administration’s decisions on pardoning individuals convicted in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot will hinge on the level of violence involved in their actions.
Under the Biden administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ), more than 1,200 people from nearly all 50 states were prosecuted for their roles in the attack on the Capitol.
Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Vance emphasized the need for fairness in the justice system and clarified where the line would be drawn in granting pardons.
READ: Special Counsel Jack Smith Resigns Amid Legal Battles Over Trump Investigation Reports
“I think it’s very simple,” Vance told host Shannon Bream. “If you protested peacefully on January the 6th and you’ve had Merrick Garland’s Department of Justice treat you like a gang member, you should be pardoned. If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn’t be pardoned.”
Vance acknowledged a “gray area” in some cases but stressed the administration’s commitment to ensuring justice. “There are a lot of people we think, in the wake of January the 6th, who were prosecuted unfairly. We need to rectify that,” he said.
Video footage from January 6 shows a mix of behavior among participants. Some engaged in altercations with Capitol police or destroyed property, while others were seen peacefully walking through the building without apparent confrontation.
READ: Pennsylvania Climate Scientist Must “Pay Up” $530K After 8 Year Legal Battle Over 2 Blog Posts
The issue of pardons has been a recurring topic since President-elect Donald Trump began discussing it during his 2024 campaign. In December, Trump told NBC’s Kristen Welker that he would examine individual cases for those charged. In a May 2023 interview with CNN, Trump said he would consider pardoning a “large portion” of those federally charged, specifically mentioning members of the Proud Boys.
The Biden administration’s approach to prosecuting January 6 defendants faced scrutiny in March 2024 when a D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled that some sentences had been wrongly extended. The court sided with defendant Larry Brock, who had been sentenced to two years in prison for obstructing an official proceeding. The DOJ had sought a sentencing enhancement for disrupting Congress’ certification of the 2020 election, but the panel ruled that judges could not label the defendants’ actions as “interference with the administration of justice.”
READ: California Wildfires Highlight Role Of Incarcerated Firefighters Amid Controversy
Vance’s comments highlight the incoming administration’s intent to address perceived injustices in the DOJ’s handling of January 6 cases while distinguishing between peaceful protesters and those who engaged in violence. The approach mirrors Trump’s prior statements, indicating a case-by-case evaluation.
As the transition team prepares for Trump’s inauguration on January 20, Vance reiterated the administration’s goal of equal justice under the law. “We’re very much committed to seeing the equal administration of law,” he said.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.