WASHINGTON – With some exceptions, Senate Republicans raised questions Tuesday about President Donald Trump’s broad clemency for over 1,500 defendants who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 – including many who beat police officers, smashed windows and littered destroyed – largely rejected or avoided offices altogether as lawmakers hid in designated sheltered areas.
Just hours into his second term on Monday, Trump commuted the sentences against 14 criminals, including leaders of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.
The president granted “a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other persons convicted of offenses related to events that occurred in or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.” He also pointed out dismiss all pending charges.
The pardons came as no surprise. As Senate Republicans cheered Trump on his march to victory, the former and current president praised the “hostages” and “patriots” who injured more than 140 police officers and caused more than $2.8 million in damage to the Capitol have to the Ministry of Justice.
Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers and ringleader of January 6th told Reporters said Tuesday it was “a good day for America.” Rhodes, who was released from federal prison in Cumberland, Maryland, faced an 18-year sentence for, among other things, seditious conspiracy.
But Trump allies had previously raised questions about the release of some defendants, including Vice President JD Vance told Fox News on January 12: “If you committed violence that day, of course you shouldn’t be pardoned.”
From the beginning of January, the government charged Just over 1,580 people were convicted of crimes related to the uprising, with 608 of them charged with assault, resisting police or obstructing prosecution. Nearly a third of people charged with assaulting officers used a perilous or deadly weapon. after to the Ministry of Justice.
Investigations revealed that weapons brought onto Capitol grounds included firearms, Tasers and chemical sprays. edged weapons, including swords, axes, hatchets and knives; and makeshift weapons, including broken office furniture, fences, bicycle racks, stolen riot shields, baseball bats, hockey sticks, flagpoles, PVC pipes and reinforced knuckle gloves.
States Newsroom asked more than 20 Republican senators whether they agreed with Trump’s clemency orders and contacted some of the lawmakers who were willing to speak.
Trump “keeps his campaign promises”
Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said he wasn’t comfortable with “anyone involving an attack on a police officer.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski told a group of reporters she was “disappointed.”
“I fear the message that will be sent to these great men and women who have stood with us,” the Alaska Republican said, pointing to Capitol Police officers stationed outside the weekly Senate Republican luncheon.
Senator Susan Collins of Maine said a distinction must be made “between pardoning people who may have been caught in the crowd that day and did not commit an act of violence, and those who attacked police officers with fists or with flag poles.” Pepper spray and vandalized property entered the Capitol by breaking windows.”
“I don’t believe these individuals deserve mercy,” she said. Collins also published a written one opinion.
Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, who was photographed raising his fist in solidarity with Trump supporters as he left the Capitol on Jan. 6, said: (*6*)
Hawley, who is seen on the security video Run to be sheltered During the attack, he said the pardons were a signal that Trump was “keeping his campaign promises.”
Biden pardoned
When the state newsroom asked Sen. Deb Fischer if she agreed with the sweeping pardons, the Nebraska Republican replied, “I’m looking forward to having some great opportunities and doing good things.”
In response to a follow-up question about whether she condoned political violence, Fischer, who was on her way to Majority Whip John Barrasso’s office, replied: “Ma’am, no one would ever condone political violence.”
As Senator Markwayne Mullin passed the entrance to the Senate chamber, he greeted and shook hands with Capitol Police officers stationed at the doors.
The Oklahoma Republican declined to speak specifically about the Jan. 6 pardons, saying he hasn’t received “nearly as many questions” about former President Joe Biden’s pardons in his final hours in office.
“Here’s my thing on pardons, I couldn’t feel more comfortable if Biden released and pardoned his entire family too,” Mullin said. “If you all want to cover both, talk to me.”
The States newsroom preemptively reported on Biden on Monday pardoned Lawmakers who served on the congressional committee investigating the attack on the Capitol, as well as police officers who testified before the panel.
He also preemptively pardoned former government officials who had been the targets of death threats, as well as five of his family members – about a month and a half after he pardoned his son Hunter. Significant News Points of sale published numerous Article about Biden’s pardons.
Mullin refrained from asking a follow-up question highlighting acts of violence committed by those who received Trump’s clemency.
Collins similarly said the press should also “pay attention” to Biden’s pardons, particularly the Indigenous activist’s commutation Leonard Peltier.
Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, the Senate’s ranking member and interim president of the body, said: “Hey, everyone’s been asking me about J6. None of you are asking about the Biden pardons.”
Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said, “Congress has no role in pardons” and declined to answer further questions on the issue.
No answer at all
Many Republican senators did not respond Tuesday afternoon to pointed and oft-repeated questions from reporters about the pardons.
They included Mike Crapo of Idaho, Barrasso of Wyoming, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, John Curtis of Utah, Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott of South Carolina, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and Tommy Tuberville from Alabama and Joni Ernst from Iowa.
Blackburn and Curtis specifically said they do not speak to reporters in the hallways of Congress.
Some Republican senators said they had not yet seen Trump’s order Monday night.
“I haven’t looked at it yet,” said Sen. Rick Scott of Florida.
When the state’s newsroom summarized the 334-word proclamation, emphasizing that it was heavily promoted by major news outlets, Scott responded, “I haven’t looked at the executive order yet.”
Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana said, “I have nothing for you.”
“You don’t have anything about people coming here with guns and hitting cops?” The State newsroom pressed as Kennedy walked away.
Murkowski’s fellow Alaska senator, Dan Sullivan, paused to speak to reporters about Trump’s “grand slam home run” executive order expanding energy development in his state, but did not comment on the president’s clemency toward the March 6 defendants . January.
“I have to read the order first,” he said.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s office did not respond to requests for comment. The South Dakota Republican briefly told Reporter in front of a committee room: “We don’t look back, we look forward.”
The States Newsroom has reached out to all members of senate And House Republican leadership sought comment, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, but received no response.
Last updated 6:05 p.m., January 21, 2025
