(Web Desk) Donald Trump fulfilled his pledge to take action in such situations on the first day of his second term on Monday by issuing “full, complete, and unconditional” presidential pardons for over 1,500 individuals engaged in the January 6 attack on Congress, including those convicted of serious crimes.
In addition to the pardons, he reduced the sentences of those who need “further research” by issuing commutations in over a dozen cases.
Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right Oath Keepers group, was one of the individuals whose sentences were reduced.
This one is significant. After calling those convicted “hostages,” Trump signed the pardons in the Oval Office on Monday night, saying, “We hope they come out tonight, honestly.”
Moreover, Trump ordered the Justice Department to drop all outstanding indictments against anyone connected to January 6.
Trump’s order said, “This proclamation begins a process of national reconciliation and ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years.”
Some in the president’s inner circle urged him to go over each case individually and choose who should be pardoned. However, Trump determined that everyone should be granted some kind of pardon for the incident, which he reframed as a “day of love.”
The organization, known as the J6 community, has advocated for widespread pardons, arguing that the charges were completely corrupted. Some others think the government was complicit in planning the rebellion, clearing them of any accountability for their deeds.
The way the extreme right is being welcomed by the new government was seen on Monday when a group of Proud Boys marched through Washington with a banner congratulating Trump on his win.