Vice President-elect JD Vance shared his perspective on who he believes should and should not be considered for presidential pardons in relation to their involvement in the events that transpired during the riot at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. During an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” Vance expressed his views on the matter.
Vance stated, “If you protested peacefully on January 6 and you’ve faced undue harsh treatment from [Attorney General] Merrick Garland’s Department of Justice, akin to being treated as a gang member, then you should be pardoned.” He further emphasized, “If you engaged in acts of violence on that day, it is evident that pardon should not be granted to you.”
The remarks made by Vance appeared to diverge slightly from the outlined plans set forth by President-elect Donald Trump in relation to potential pardons. In a previous interview with NBC News in December, Trump had indicated on “Meet the Press” that upon assuming office, he planned to pardon individuals who supported him and were involved in the events of January 6. Trump expressed his discontent with the prosecution of the rioters within a system he described as “very nasty.”
Trump relayed his intentions to take swift action on his first day in office, asserting that those convicted in connection to the riot had endured dire circumstances within a penal system he deemed unsuitable. Notably, Trump did not explicitly dismiss the prospect of pardoning individuals who had pleaded guilty to violent offenses, including assaults against law enforcement officers.
Trump elaborated on the subject of guilty pleas, suggesting that individuals may have felt compelled to plead guilty due to coercive tactics within what he characterized as a corrupt system. He highlighted the predicament faced by individuals who were confronted with the choice between lengthy imprisonment terms, indicating a flawed and unjust nature of the legal system.
In a subsequent statement, Trump reiterated his contemplation of granting “major pardons” to those involved in the January 6 incident, indicating a possibility of including them in his pardoning decisions. Vance, on the other hand, acknowledged the ambiguity surrounding individuals who engaged in violent acts during the events of January 6. He emphasized the importance of upholding the principles of equal law enforcement.
Vance later elaborated on his initial comments in a post on X, clarifying that he and the president-elect would assess each case pertaining to January 6 individually. He noted that individuals who resorted to violence and were potentially provoked might be considered for pardons. Vance underscored the commitment to addressing cases of individuals who had been unjustly incarcerated, implying a nuanced approach to evaluating each scenario meticulously.
Notably, a response from a spokesperson for the Trump transition team was not immediately available in response to an NBC News request for comment on the matter.
Since January 2021, the legal repercussions stemming from the events at the Capitol have resulted in over 1,270 convictions of individuals involved. Additionally, more than 1,580 arrests have been made in connection to
