- Vice President-elect J.D. Vance stated that individuals convicted of violent acts during the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol protests "obviously" should not be pardoned, distinguishing them from peaceful protesters who he believes deserve clemency.
- President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to pardon "most likely" all Jan. 6 protesters "very quickly" after his inauguration, criticizing the legal system as "corrupt" and claiming many were unfairly targeted.
- More than 1,600 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol protest, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies like assault and seditious conspiracy.
- Vance’s remarks sparked criticism from some Trump supporters, including a protester who pleaded guilty, while Vance clarified that he and Trump would evaluate each case individually.
- The pardon debate reflects deep divisions within the Republican Party and broader political tensions, with Jan. 6 symbolizing either a threat to democracy or resistance to government overreach.
Vice President-elect J.D. Vance said Sunday, Jan. 12, that individuals convicted for violent acts committed during the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol protests "obviously" should not be pardoned.
Vance's remarks, made during an interview on "Fox News Sunday," come as Trump has vowed to issue pardons to many of the protesters on "Day 1" of his presidency, which begins Jan. 20. The debate over clemency for the protesters has reignited tensions within Trump’s own base, with some supporters accusing Vance of abandoning those who rallied for the former president. (Related: Trump's plan to pardon over 1,000 convicted J6 protesters sparks criticism from Big Government.)
The Capitol protest, which left more than 100 police officers injured and temporarily halted the certification of the official results of the 2020 elections, has become a defining moment in modern American politics.
More than 1,600 people have been charged with federal crimes stemming from the incident, ranging from misdemeanors for unlawful entry to felonies for assaulting officers and seditious conspiracy. Some of the worst alleged offenders have been convicted of plotting to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power.
Vance, who will assume office alongside Trump next month, sought to draw a distinction between peaceful protesters and those who engaged in violence.
"If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn’t be pardoned," Vance told host Shannon Bream. "But if you protested peacefully, you should be pardoned."
He later acknowledged there was a "bit of a gray area" in some cases, suggesting that pardons could still be considered for individuals who received what he called "a garbage trial."
Trump still likely to pardon most Capitol protesters immediately after inauguration
Trump, however, has taken a broader stance, promising to pardon "most likely" all Capitol protesters "very quickly" after his inauguration.
In a recent interview on NBC's "Meet the Press," Trump described the legal system as "very corrupt" and claimed that many rioters had been unfairly targeted.
"Those people have suffered long and hard," Trump said. "And there may be some exceptions to it. I have to look. But, you know, if somebody was radical, crazy."
The president-elect’s comments have drawn criticism from both sides of the political spectrum, with opponents accusing him of undermining the rule of law and supporters demanding clemency for all protesters.
Vance's remarks also sparked backlash from some within Trump's base. Luke Lints, who pleaded guilty to interfering with law enforcement during the protest, expressed dismay on social media, writing, "I'm absolutely emotionally distraught right now."
Vance later sought to clarify his position, posting on X that he and Trump would evaluate each case individually.
"We care about people unjustly locked up," Vance wrote. "Yes, that includes people provoked and it includes people who got a garbage trial."
The debate over pardons underscores the enduring divisions within the Republican Party and the broader political landscape. For many, the Capitol protest remains a symbol of the fragility of American democracy, while others view it as a rallying cry against perceived government overreach. Vance's attempt to balance these competing narratives highlights the challenges facing the incoming administration as it seeks to unify a fractured electorate.
Watch this Fox News clip from Sunday featuring Vice President-elect J.D. Vance discussing the incoming administration's plans for presidential pardons.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
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Biden mulls shielding Fauci and Cheney as Trump plans to pardon J6 patriots.
Trump hints at pardon for J6 political prisoners after Joe Biden pardons his son.
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