Pardons Issued for Jan. 6 Riot Participants: Trump’s Actions
In a controversial move, former President Donald Trump issued pardons for participants in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, shortly after being sworn in as the country’s 47th president on Monday.
Trump’s Promise Fulfilled
These pardons fulfill Trump’s promise to release supporters who attempted to help him overturn his election defeat four years ago. Trump signed the paperwork in the Oval Office, marking his first executive actions inside the White House after his inauguration.
According to Trump, about 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants are expected to be pardoned. However, the names of those pardoned have not been released to the public yet. Trump had previously vowed to issue pardons for a significant number of people involved in storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as he tried to overturn President Biden’s election victory.
Former Proud Boys Leader Set to Be Released
Among those to be pardoned is former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who is currently serving a 22-year sentence at a medium-security prison in Louisiana. Tarrio’s lawyer, Nayib Hassan, confirmed that his client was being processed for release on Monday due to an expected grant of clemency from President Trump.
While Tarrio was not convicted of any violent acts during the Capitol riots as he was not present at the scene, prosecutors argued that he played a key role in organizing the attack. Despite the lack of specific details about the type of clemency he is receiving, Tarrio’s mother has also announced his impending release on social media.
Trump’s Immediate Actions
Following his inauguration, Trump wasted no time in asserting his authority, signing executive orders onstage at a downtown arena as thousands of supporters cheered. He made significant policy changes such as freezing the issuance of new regulations, asserting control over the federal workforce, and withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement. Additionally, Trump rescinded numerous directives issued by President Biden, including those related to diversity, equity, inclusion initiatives, global warming, and sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
Trump’s Bold Statements
In a departure from his earlier solemn tone during the inaugural address, Trump took the opportunity to taunt his Democratic predecessor while signing the executive orders. He proudly displayed his signature in thick black ink and questioned whether President Biden would have the same bold approach.
In conclusion, Trump’s swift and decisive actions following his inauguration have set the stage for a tumultuous start to his presidency, with pardons for Jan. 6 riot participants and a series of policy reversals in the spotlight. The controversy surrounding these decisions is likely to fuel ongoing debates about the future direction of the country under the new administration.