January 6, contrary to former President Trump’s portrayal as a “day of love,” was a day of unprecedented violence at the U.S. Capitol. The bipartisan Senate report determined that rioters assaulted roughly 140 police officers, resulting in seven deaths and two additional Capitol police officers later dying by suicide.

Before Trump issued pardons, authorities had charged 1,265 individuals in connection with the attack. Hundreds faced charges for assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement, while nearly 10% were accused of using deadly or dangerous weapons or causing serious injuries to officers. Fourteen individuals were convicted of seditious conspiracy for orchestrating the violence as part of militant groups.
Public Opinion on Pardons
Public sentiment strongly opposes pardons for such acts. A YouGov poll revealed that 77% of voters in key battleground districts—including a majority of Republicans and veterans—oppose pardons for assaulting law enforcement or using dangerous weapons.
Even some Trump allies, such as Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, have voiced opposition to pardoning violent offenders. During an appearance on Fox News Sunday, he stated, “If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn’t be pardoned.”
Here is how some prominent Republicans responded to Trump’s sweeping pardons on his first day in office:
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.): “Police officers could potentially be assaulted and there’s no consequence… I think that it raises, I think, a legitimate safety question here on Capitol Hill.”
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY): “Well I think I agree with the vice president,” said McConnell, referring to JD Vance's earlier comments that violent offenders shouldn’t be pardoned. “No one should excuse violence. And particularly violence against police officers”
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME): “I do not support pardons given to people who engaged in violence on January 6, including assaulting police officers, or breaking windows to get into the Capitol, for example.”
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK): “I think if you attack a police officer that’s a very serious issue and they should pay a price for that.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK): “I don’t think that the approach of a blanket pardon that includes those who caused harm, physical harm, to our police officers, to others that resulted in violence, I’m disappointed in that. And I do fear the message that is sent to these great men and women that stood by us.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA): “I’m a big ‘back the blue’ guy. I think people who assault police officers: if they do the crime, they should do the time.”
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS): “It is wrong to pardon individuals convicted of violent crime, especially when many of the victims of their violence were law enforcement officers.”
Sen Mike Rounds (R-SD): Stated he would "not defend" President Trump's decision to pardon individuals convicted of violent January 6 offenses.
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND): “I wish he had done it case by case and maybe had a different outcome for some of them.”
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY): According to his office, his “position on the issue has not changed,” referencing his pre-inauguration remarks that emphasized the need for “consequences” for violent offenders.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE): “If you hit a cop…or you vandalized the Capitol, I think there should be accountability.”
National Law Enforcement Unions (Fraternal Order of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police): “Allowing those convicted of these crimes to be released early diminishes accountability and devalues the sacrifices made by courageous law enforcement officers and their families.”“When perpetrators of crimes, especially serious crimes, are not held fully accountable, it sends a dangerous message that the consequences for attacking law enforcement are not severe, potentially emboldening others to commit similar acts of violence.”
Capitol Police Labor Committee: “The vast majority of Americans do not support letting criminals off scottfree or being given lighter sentences when they've attacked law enforcement officers. This use of presidential power is not what Americans want to see and it’s not what law enforcement officers deserve.”
Here are some pre-January 20, 2025 responses to the idea of pardoning rioters from other prominent Republican Trump supporters and others who are inclined to support his agenda:
Rep. Gus Billrakis (R-FL.): “Again, I’d have to look at the scenario, but if they attacked the U.S. Capitol Police, it’s a big problem.”
Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD): “People who attacked police officers, listen, I don’t think that is something we should ever condone.”
Rep. Mike Lawler (R – NY): “The reality is that if somebody engaged in violence at the Capitol on January 6th they should deal with the consequences of that.”
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH): According to the Associated Press, Jordan “draws a distinction” regarding the pardons, stating, “For people who didn’t commit any violence, I think everyone supports that. I think that makes sense.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R – LA): “He said he would pardon some of them. I don’t know what ‘some of them’ means.” “I’m suspecting he’s putting something in there for people whose actions were more egregious, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
Gov. Kristi Noem (R – SD): “We can’t have a blanket approach. I would say each one of those cases needs to be looked at specifically.”
Mick Mulvaney (former Trump Administration Director of OMB): “Don’t do a blanket clemency to pretend like January 6th didn’t happen, there were clearly people doing the wrong thing on January 6th who should be in jail. And I think that the president should take it on a case-by-case basis and not try and sweep it under the rug.”
Brad Todd (Republican strategist): “I think if he were to pardon Stewart Rhodes or Enrique Tarrio or any of the instigators… I think those pardons will be controversial and they should be.”
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO): “For those kind of folks who in their defense was, ‘I didn’t realize, I thought the Capitol was open. The Capitol’s a public building; we were not the first ones in,’” pardons or commutations would be appropriate, Hawley told USA TODAY. “I’m against it for people who assaulted cops, threw stuff at cops, broke down doors, broke windows.”
Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL): “I agree with JD.”
Learn More:
"F--k it: Release 'em all": Trump's last-minute decision to issue sweeping pardons for Jan 6 rioters