Shortly after new US President Donald Trump pardoned all perpetrators of the attack on the Capitol, the first convicts were released. Among them were the leaders of the right-wing extremist militias ‘Proud Boys’ and ‘Oath Keepers’, both of whom were sentenced to long prison terms.
The database of the US authority responsible for federal prisons shows that several prisoners were released on Monday – the day of Trump’s inauguration and the announcement of his pardon. More followed the next day. Shortly after his inauguration, Trump issued an executive order granting more than 1,500 pardons.
“Seditious conspiracy”
Even those charged with particularly long prison sentences have now been released, including the founder of the right-wing extremist group ‘Oath Keepers’, Stewart Rhodes, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison after the attack on the US Congress. things, for “seditious conspiracy.”
This is a criminal offense that has only been used very rarely in the country’s judicial history. Rhodes and his co-defendants were accused of plotting to use violence to prevent the transition of power after the 2020 presidential election.
“My son is free”
The former leader of the right-wing extremist group ‘Proud Boys’, Henry ‘Enrique’ Tarrio, received the highest sentence in connection with the attack on the Capitol: 22 years in prison, also for ‘seditious conspiracy’. His mother wrote to X that her son was now also free. She praised him as a noble patriot and called for him to be “rebuilt” after his captivity.
The outbreak of violence on January 6, 2021
Supporters of President Trump, who was subsequently voted out of office, violently stormed the House headquarters in Washington on January 6, 2021. Congress met there that day to formally confirm Democrat Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. Trump had earlier incited his supporters during a speech with the false claim that massive election fraud had robbed him of a victory. Five people were killed as a result of the riots. The attack on the heart of American democracy shocked the country and continues to have an impact.
Hundreds of pending criminal cases are being dismissed
Immediately after returning to power, Trump’s first official act on Monday was to pardon all those convicted at the time. He released the prison sentences of fourteen convicts, who are now believed to have served their sentences. It is about various members of the “Proud Boys” and “Oath Keepers”. For the rest of the more than 1,100 people convicted so far in connection with the attack on the Capitol, Trump has granted sweeping and unconditional pardons and ordered that they be released “immediately.” He also ordered the Justice Department to close hundreds of pending criminal cases in the case.
Trump fans celebrate pardon
While Trump fans like Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene publicly celebrated the move, it sparked outrage on the other side.
Democratic Senator Dick Durbin called it a “national shame” on Tuesday. A “Trump-inspired gang of thugs” is released.
“Disgraceful insult to our legal system”
Former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi called it a “disgraceful decision”. “The president’s actions are a blatant insult to our justice system and the heroes who suffered physical scars and emotional trauma protecting the Capitol, Congress and the Constitution.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
