Trump’s Mass Pardons Free Convicted Rioters from Prison, Including Far-Right Extremists
In a surprise move, President Donald Trump has granted mass pardons and commutations to a group of individuals convicted of violently assaulting police and participating in the January 6 US Capitol riot. The clemency move has freed hundreds of individuals from prison, including leaders of far-right militia groups and other convicted rioters.
According to sources, Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, both convicted of seditious conspiracy and serving long sentences, were released early Tuesday. Two brothers, Isaac Sturgeon and Daniel Gray, were also freed from jail in Washington, DC, and a Trump White House aide credited Elon Musk with their swift release.
Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump’s, expressed support for the released convicts on his social media platform X, and even offered to help if they encountered any difficulties. The billionaire also issued a public threat, warning that if it was found that prison officials had acted illegally, they might find themselves in the same cell as the person they assaulted.
The convicted rioters have been released from prison and are no longer under the supervision of the court system. Many are already taking advantage of their new freedom, visiting casinos and other public places.
For those who are not behind bars, the greatest impact of the pardon will be the restoration of their civil rights. Those convicted of January 6 crimes who have already completed their sentences or were never sentenced will see their civil rights restored, including the right to own a gun.
The clemency move has been widely condemned by lawmakers and victims of the Capitol riot, including the family of US Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who was injured in the siege and died one day later. The family expressed hope that “truth of what happened that tragic day will survive” despite the clemency.
It remains to be seen how the Biden administration will respond to Trump’s mass pardons and commutations. Musk has threatened that his allies may prosecute officials if they slow down the release of inmates, further fueling the controversy surrounding the pardons.