A number of prominent individuals facing charges related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack may receive pardons if President-elect Trump acts on his commitment to grant clemency “in the first hour” of his upcoming term. Recently named Time magazine’s “Person of the Year,” Trump indicated that he intends to offer clemency to a majority of the rioters involved in the Capitol breach.
“It’s going to start in the first hour,” Trump stated, suggesting it could happen “maybe the first nine minutes.” Many rioters anticipate immediate clemency upon Trump’s return to the presidency, prompting their legal representatives to request delays in sentencing and other legal proceedings. However, judges have largely rejected these motions.
DOJ warns January 6 defendants that accepting a pardon would equate to admitting guilt
As he was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals after receiving a 12-month prison sentence for his involvement in the riot, Philip Sean Grillo expressed confidence, saying, “Trump’s gonna pardon me anyways.” Grillo had been convicted of felony obstruction of an official proceeding alongside several misdemeanors.
Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys, is among those who could be eligible for a pardon. Currently, he is serving a 22-year sentence for his role in the January 6 events. Jacob Chansley, widely recognized as the “QAnon Shaman” due to his distinctive attire during the attack, may also be pardoned.
In total, over 1,500 individuals have faced charges connected to the Capitol riot. Of these, approximately 1,200 have either pleaded guilty or been convicted, with sentences varying from probation to Tarrio’s lengthy 22-year sentence. The Justice Department (DOJ) has cautioned January 6 defendants that accepting a pardon from Trump would essentially serve as an admission of guilt.
An 88-page report released by the DOJ’s inspector general on Thursday highlighted shortcomings in the FBI’s intelligence gathering before the riot. It indicated that the FBI failed to conduct a basic step by not coordinating with all field offices and undercover informants in advance.
The report clarifies that no federal agents participated in supporting the attack and that no undercover agents were present. Nonetheless, 26 confidential FBI informants were present at the riot, including three who were specifically assigned to monitor domestic terrorism suspects.
