U.S. Vice President-elect JD Vance on Sunday (January 12) shared his thoughts on President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to pardon those convicted in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol. Vance’s interview with Fox News Sunday comes just one week before Trump’s inauguration.
In the interview, Vance stated that those responsible for the violence during the Capitol riot should “obviously” not be pardoned. Trump, however, pledges to use his clemency power for many individuals involved in the attempt to overturn the 2020 election results.
“If you protested peacefully on Jan. 6 and you’ve had [Attorney General] Merrick Garland’s Department of Justice treat you like a gang member, you should be pardoned,” Vance told Fox News on Sunday. “If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn’t be pardoned,” he added.
Trump announced plans to issue pardons to Capitol rioters on the first day of his presidency, beginning January 20. Speaking recently on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Trump stated, “Most likely, I’ll do it very quickly,” adding that the individuals involved “have suffered long and hard.” However, he noted there might be exceptions, saying, “I have to look. But, you know, if somebody was radical, crazy.”
In a post on X, Vance addressed criticism from Capitol riot supporters who argued that his stance did not go far enough in advocating for the release of all those convicted. “I’ve been defending these guys for years,” he said. “The president saying he’ll look at each case (and me saying the same) is not some walkback,” Vance said. “I assure you, we care about people unjustly locked up. Yes, that includes people provoked and it includes people who got a garbage trial.”
What Happened On January 6, 2021?
Following Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory, protests erupted at Capitol Hill, leading to over 1,500 federal charges. The riots injured more than 100 police officers and forced lawmakers into hiding as they met to certify Biden’s win. Hundreds of participants, who did not engage in violence or destruction, were charged with misdemeanors for illegally entering the Capitol. Others faced felony charges, including assault for attacking officers. Leaders of extremist groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys were convicted of seditious conspiracy for plotting to prevent the peaceful transfer of power from Trump to Biden.
