Trump’s pardons for the rioters are worrying many, family of late hero officer of January 6 react

True to his campaign promise, Donald Trump ordered the release of all participants in the January 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol.

JUST IN: Trump says he is pardoning nearly all of the people charged or convicted with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, fulfilling one of his campaign promises.

— Bloomberg (@bloomberg.com) 2025-01-21T01:13:56.499Z

He granted clemency to those who had not committed violent acts and commuted the sentences of those convicted of serious crimes, including violence, such as brutally attacking Capitol police officers, as well as conspiracy to overthrow the government.

This latter category notably includes members of the far-right organizations Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.

This represents a huge advantage for these criminals, some of whom, sentenced to more than 20 years, will now find themselves completely free.

Trump’s decision erases the legal consequences for the majority of the 1,590 individuals charged in connection with the riot. However, 14 individuals, including members of the far-right organizations Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, had their sentences reduced without receiving a pardon. Their actions remain recorded on their criminal record, even though they have been released from federal prisons.

Among those released is Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, who was freed on January 21 after spending the last three years at the Federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Maryland.

It should be noted that among the 1,590 accused, 284 individuals were charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or employees, including 99 for using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious injury to an officer. Additionally, 11 individuals were arrested on charges related to assaulting media members or destroying their equipment.

Approximately 860 individuals were charged with entering or remaining in a restricted federal building or grounds, including 91 for entering with a dangerous or deadly weapon. Furthermore, 59 individuals were charged with destruction of public property and 36 for theft of government property.

Moreover, more than 295 individuals have been charged with corrupting, obstructing, or influencing an official proceeding, or attempting to do so. Around 50 individuals have also faced charges of conspiracy, including obstruction of a congressional proceeding, impeding law enforcement during a civil disorder, conspiracy to injure an officer, or sedition conspiracy, or a combination of these offenses.

In total, over 600 individuals have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement during the riot, according to figures from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Many concerns remain about the impact of these pardons, with some fearing that they may encourage these individuals to repeat such actions in honor of Trump if a similar opportunity arises in the future.

Following the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, five people lost their lives, including Officer Brian Sicknick, who died of two strokes just hours after being injured while trying to protect the Capitol.

His family strongly criticized Trump’s decision, stating:

“Our family has been asked to comment on the pardoning of the rioters who sacked the Nation’s Capitol on January 6, 2021, including the man who assaulted our son with a deadly weapon, and his accomplice. There are no words that adequately describe the pain of losing Brian, and the suffering we have endured every day since, never to end. The pardons are intended to “end a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated on the American people, and to begin the process of national reconciliation.” It is up to the American people to decide whether this purpose will be achieved, involving far more serious questions than how our family feels about the death of a son and brother, and the undoing of the justice that was previously determined by the Court’s sentencing of Brian’s assailants. It is our hope that the truth of what happened that tragic day will survive, irrespective of partisan political objectives. We are proud of our son’s defense of American Democracy, and the continued efforts of his fellow officers to safeguard the seat of government, and the Constitution which guides it; our hearts go out to them as they cope with all that has occurred, and we pray for their strength and fortitude to continue their important mission.”