Statement on January 6 Pardons
The Society for the Rule of Law issued the following statement in relation to Donald Trump’s pledge to pardon January 6 rioters:
President-Elect Donald Trump has vowed in recent interviews to pardon January 6 rioters beginning on his first day in office. The Society for the Rule of Law opposes pardons for any of the more than 1,000 individuals who have been convicted in trials by judges or juries, or pled guilty to crimes in connection with the January 6 assault on the Capitol.
On January 7, 2021, President-Elect Trump said: “The demonstrators who infiltrated the Capitol have defiled the seat of American democracy. To those who engaged in the acts of violence and destruction, you do not represent our country. And to those who broke the law, you will pay.”
We agree with the statement issued by the Fraternal Order of Police that, “Those who participated in the assaults, looting, and trespassing must be arrested and held to account.” We also agree with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said: “I would not be in favor of shortening the sentences for any of the people who have pleaded guilty to crimes” relating to the January 6 attack.
Even if President-Elect Trump pardons some people, he should absolutely not pardon or commute the sentences of any of the more than 500 individuals who have been charged with assaulting or interfering with law enforcement officials. This would be a grave insult to our law enforcement personnel. Nor should he pardon those who destroyed government property or carried dangerous weapons onto the Capitol grounds.
If President-Elect Trump overturns the convictions of individuals who were convicted by judges and juries or admitted guilt for crimes on January 6, he would undermine the U.S. judiciary and criminal justice system and send a message to Americans that attacking U.S. democratic institutions is appropriate and justifiable.
We agree with the concerns expressed by several of the federal judges who have been adjudicating the January 6 cases. Judge Royce Lamberth, appointed by Ronald Reagan, said, “We cannot condone the normalization of the January 6 U.S. Capitol riot” if we want to avoid a “vicious cycle … that could imperil our democratic institutions.” And Judge Carl Nichols, appointed by Donald Trump said, “Blanket pardons for all January 6 defendants or anything close would be beyond frustrating and disappointing.”
We also urge President-Elect Trump not to interfere with the ongoing investigations and prosecutions of persons who have been charged but not yet convicted or who are still wanted for criminal acts on January 6. The Department of Justice and the FBI as well as our judges should continue their important work to protect our democratic institutions and uphold the rule of law.
To be connected with spokespeople for comment, please contact Communications Director Tony Franquiz at [email protected].
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