The newly appointed Senate Majority Leader, John Thune (R-S.D.), has stated that the decision to pardon individuals involved in the January 6 riot at the Capitol rests with President-elect Trump. Thune made these comments during an interview on NBC News’s “Meet the Press” with host Kristen Welker, where he was questioned about Trump’s commitment to granting pardons to those facing charges related to the Capitol breach.
Thune asserted that the ultimate responsibility for pardons lies with President Trump, stating, “That’s ultimately going to be a decision that President Trump is going to have to make.” Trump had previously indicated to Time magazine that he planned to initiate the pardon process shortly after returning to the White House, suggesting that pardons could be issued within the “first hour” or even “the first nine minutes.”
Throughout his presidency, Trump has repeatedly vowed to extend clemency to individuals who participated in the events at the Capitol as Congress was certifying President Biden’s electoral victory in 2020. During his time on the campaign trail, Trump characterized these individuals as “political prisoners.”
This year marks the fourth anniversary of the tumultuous day when rioters stormed the Capitol following a rally held by Trump at the Ellipse in Washington. When asked about the potential pardons by Trump, Thune drew a comparison to recent acts of clemency by President Biden.
In a move that sparked controversy, Biden decided to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, despite previously stating that he would not intervene in his son’s legal affairs. Additionally, Biden announced pardons for 39 individuals and commuted the sentences of 1,500 others. Thune acknowledged the broad authority that the president holds in terms of granting pardons, citing recent actions by the Biden administration.
Reflecting on the events of January 6 and other past occurrences, Thune emphasized his focus on the future rather than dwelling on historical events. He expressed his belief that while it is important to learn from the past and to remember it, one must prioritize living in the present and planning for the future. Thune redirected attention towards the goals and objectives of the incoming administration.
