Donald Trump wasted no time making waves as he kicked off his second term in office.
On Inauguration Day, amidst the ceremonial pomp, Trump made a headline-grabbing decision that caught even his closest advisors off guard: a blanket pardon for everyone involved in the January 6th Capitol riots.
“F**k It, Release ‘Em All”
According to reports from Axios, Trump made the decision in his signature impulsive style.
As his team debated priorities for their first hours in power, Trump reportedly declared, “F**k it: Release ‘em all.”
This surprising move immediately freed over 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the insurrection, including high-profile figures like Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, and Enrique Tarrio, leader of the Proud Boys.
Both men had been serving lengthy sentences for seditious conspiracy—18 and 22 years, respectively—but walked free within hours of Trump signing the clemency order.
A Divided Reaction to Trump’s Blanket Pardon
Trump’s decision sparked mixed reactions.
His supporters shrugged it off, viewing it as consistent with his campaign promises.
“He is who he is,” one official remarked, suggesting that such a move was well within the unpredictable nature of Trump’s leadership.
Critics, however, were quick to voice outrage.
Michael Fanone, a former police officer injured during the riots, called the pardons “outrageous” and lamented, “The rule of law is dead in this country.”
Trump’s Justification: “The Punishments Were Excessive”
Defending his actions, Trump described the prosecutions as “ridiculous and excessive.”
He emphasized that many of the individuals had already served significant time and deserved clemency.
Trump also took the opportunity to redirect criticism toward his predecessor, Joe Biden.
He accused Biden of hypocrisy for issuing pardons to his son Hunter and other family members before leaving office.
“Joe Biden gave a pardon to a lot of criminals, and nobody is asking about that,” Trump said.
From Campaign Trail Promise to Presidential Action
Throughout his campaign, Trump frequently promised to pardon participants of the January 6th events, though he had suggested a more selective, case-by-case approach.
His eventual decision for a blanket pardon surprised even those who expected leniency.
“I’m going to look at them individually,” he had told Time magazine during the campaign.
“If they were nonviolent, I think they’ve been greatly punished, and I’ll consider it.”
Fallout and Moving Forward
The pardon proclamation, offering a “full, complete, and unconditional pardon” to all individuals convicted of January 6th-related crimes, led to the immediate release of over 200 people from federal custody.
Critics argue the move undermines accountability, especially given the injuries sustained by over 150 police officers during the riots.
Despite the backlash, Trump’s team appears unfazed.
Advisors argue that voters are more concerned with other pressing issues, framing the decision as a bold statement of Trump’s priorities.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Trump’s second term has begun with a bang, and the political fallout from this decision is far from over.
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