On pardons for January 6 rioters, Trump wasn’t waiting for a ‘green light’

It’s not exactly a secret that President Joe Biden sparked a major controversy when he decided to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, and many Republicans (and many Democrats) said the outgoing Democrat was wrong to intervene in the case after saying he would not do so.

But while much of the rejection is understandable, there is a related dimension to the story that is impossible to take seriously. politician reported:

The president-elect was not the only one who thought along these lines. John Solomon’s online outlet, Just the News, ran a report with a headline that read, “Hunter Biden’s pardon gives Trump green light to free some Jan. 6 defendants.” The same report highlighted a tweet from Charlie Kirk, a prominent media personality and far-right activist, who also wrote online: “No one in the media better complain when the J6ers get their pardons now.”

So, a couple of things.

First, the idea that Trump has somehow been emboldened by Hunter Biden’s pardon, opening the door for the Republican to hand out get-out-of-jail-free cards to the January 6 rioters, is absurd. The president-elect was not waiting for a “green light”; Drove through the intersection months ago.

In 2022, more than two years ago, before Hunter Biden was even impeached and before Trump launched his 2024 bid, repeatedly talked about the idea to grant presidential pardons to those who faced legal consequences for attacking the United States Capitol.

In 2024, this speech became more frequent and more explicit. Eleven months ago, at a campaign event in New Hampshire, Trump listened to a supporter who urged him to “free” the January 6 criminals. “We will,” he responded.

In March, he issued a written statement promising that one of his first actsIf he returns to the White House, it would be “freeing” those accused and convicted of crimes related to the January 6 assault.

Less than a week later, Trump added additional clarity to his plan: The January 6 rioters could expect pardons on “the first day” of his second term.

When Trump sat with Time magazine’s Eric Cortellessa reminded you in April that more than 800 January 6 participants have been sentenced through our court system, and most of them pleaded guilty. Others were convicted by juries. “Will you consider forgiving each of them?” —Cortellessa asked.

“I would consider it, yes.” Trump responded.

Seemingly surprised, the Time journalist added: “Really?” to which the republican saying“Yes, absolutely.”

A few months later, during a disastrous appearance Speaking before the National Association of Black Journalists, Trump added that he would forgive rioters, even if they attacked police officers. Although it seemed hard to believe, ABC News anchor Rachel Scott reminded the Republican of the Serious injuries to police officers. during the insurrectionary violence, including an officer who lost an eye. He asked if the rioters who confronted those officers are “patriots” who “deserve pardons.”

Trump initially responded by ignoring the question and talking about protesters spray-painting limestone at the Capitol last week. Then Scott tried again, asking him if he was willing to forgive the “rioters who assaulted police officers.” The Republican candidate responded: “Oh, absolutely. “If they are innocent, I would forgive them.”

When Scott pointed out that they were talking about criminals who had already been convicted, Trump added that they were “convicted by a very, very harsh system,” as if that somehow left open the possibility that violent rioters, some of whom they declared guilty. , could still be innocent and deserve a presidential pardon.

This was, like a political report noted, “the most explicit promise Trump has made about the range of defendants he could be released from prison if he takes office, a group that now appears to include some of the most notoriously violent actors of the day.”

The president-elect was not waiting for an excuse or a “green light.” Biden’s pardon came months ago; By some measures, years – after Trump left little doubt about his plans to help those who attacked the country’s seat of government in his name.

But what is equally important is that the phrase “false equivalence” floats over the conversation. Some on the right are effectively saying, “If Biden can forgive his son, then Trump can forgive the January 6 rioters.”

In reality, however, the first and the second have nothing to do with each other. There is every reason to believe that Hunter Biden was subjected to selective prosecution due to his relationship with the president. The January 6 rioters, on the other hand, engaged in a violent (and ultimately deadly) assault on their own country’s Capitol in hopes of helping give illegitimate power to a failed president who had just been removed from office.

To draw a parallel between the two is to strip reality of its meaning.

This post updates our Related Previous Coverage.