WASHINGTON: Former US President Donald Trump reiterated his commitment to pardon those involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot if he won the upcoming presidential election in November, stating he would consider pardoning them “if they’re innocent.”
Speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists’ event, Trump declared, “Oh, absolutely, I would. If they’re innocent, I would pardon them. They were convicted by a very tough system.” His comments came as he continues to make the case for his support of the rioters, many of whom were charged with serious offenses after the violent breach of the Capitol.
On January 6, 2021, thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol to disrupt the certification of the Electoral College votes, which confirmed Joe Biden’s victory. The attack resulted in injuries to over 140 police officers who attempted to restore order. The riot has since been a focal point of political and legal debate in the United States.
Trump’s remarks were made in the context of a broader discussion about the actions of those involved in the Capitol attack and the subsequent legal consequences they faced.
When questioned about whether he would pardon the rioters, Trump did not directly address the question but instead shifted the focus to a recent incident where peaceful protests occurred during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress.
He incorrectly described these events as an attack on the Capitol, though police successfully managed to contain the demonstration without escalation.
Furthering his argument, Trump referred to the death of Ashli Babbitt, a rioter who was shot and killed by a Capitol police officer while trying to breach the House Speaker’s Lobby during the January 6 events. The officer, who was Black, faced significant scrutiny and criticism following the incident. Trump cited this as an example of the aggressive pursuit of January 6 participants by authorities.
Rachel Scott of ABC News questioned Trump again about his position on pardoning the rioters. Trump avoided a direct answer, instead focusing on criticisms of the police response and the broader handling of the January 6 events. He expressed dissatisfaction with the legal actions taken against the rioters, describing them as having been pursued with excessive zeal.
In previous public statements, including a 2023 town hall hosted by CNN at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, Trump has expressed a willingness to pardon many of those convicted in connection with the January 6 riot. He has portrayed these individuals as victims of a biased and harsh legal system.
