Trump pardons nearly all Jan. 6 defendants on inauguration day
SUMMARY
President Donald Trump fulfilled his promise to pardon nearly all January 6 defendants, signing an executive order during his inaugural parade. Over 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the Capitol events were granted clemency, including Enrique Tarrio, the former Proud Boys chairman sentenced to 22 years for seditious conspiracy. The Federal Bureau of Prisons was instructed to act immediately on the pardons. Trump referred to the defendants as "hostages" and emphasized their release as a priority. Critics, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, condemned the pardons, calling them a 'betrayal of law enforcement who defended the Capitol'. The mass pardon was part of over 200 executive actions Trump signed on his first day, which also included withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement. Meanwhile, outgoing President Joe Biden issued last-minute pardons, including for retired Gen. Mark Milley and January 6 Select Committee participants.
