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"F--k it: Release 'em all": Trump's last-minute decision to issue sweeping pardons for Jan 6 rioters

Writer's picture: January 6th NewsJanuary 6th News

Updated: Jan 27

As one of his first moves as president, President Trump issued sweeping pardons for 1,500 individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol riots. According to White House advisers familiar with the discussions, this last-minute move aimed to swiftly close the chapter and deliver on his campaign promise to MAGA base.


Trump pardon
Melina Mara via AP

Why it matters

The decision underscores Trump’s unpredictable leadership style and his willingness to deliver on promises to his MAGA base, even when a significant number of Republicans disagree.


How it happened

Eight days before the inauguration, Vice President-elect JD Vance signaled a more selective approach to clemency. Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Vance emphasized that those who committed violence against police "obviously shouldn’t be pardoned."


Many Republicans agreed with Vance.


“I think that whether you’re in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport, Monroe, Lafayette, Alexandria, Lake Charles or Washington, D.C., it’s wrong to assault anybody — but certainly to assault an officer,” added Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La. “I’m a big back-the-blue guy.”


“I just can’t agree,” Tillis said of Trump’s actions. “I’m about to file two bills that will increase the penalties up to and including the death penalty for the murder of a police officer and increasing the penalties and creating federal crimes for assaulting a police officer — that should give you everything you need to know about my position.”


However, internal debates oscillated between a targeted approach and a blanket pardon. As deliberations dragged on, Trump reportedly said, “F—k it: Release ’em all,” according to an adviser.


The sweeping pardons surprised many Republicans, who worried about the optics of condoning violence against law enforcement.


Context

On January 7, 2021, Trump condemned the Capitol rioters for defiling the building. Yet, as legal troubles mounted during his campaign, he embraced their cause.


After his election, Trump reiterated his plan to pardon January 6 defendants on Day 1. He suggested case-by-case reviews but didn’t rule out clemency for those charged with violence against police.


Behind the scenes

Initially, Vance supported a blanket pardon, believing it would streamline the process. However, he reconsidered, thinking Trump might avoid freeing high-profile convicts.

Trump advisers described the case-by-case process as daunting, with staff uncertain about whom to prioritize. Facing a ticking clock before Inauguration Day, Trump opted for a blanket pardon, reasoning that the prosecutions were "tainted" and it was "time to move on."


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