Promises to pardon 'many' Jan. 6 defendants if re-elected

In an interview with CNN, Trump said he would pardon 'a large portion' of the Jan. 6 defendants if re-elected, calling them 'great people' who were 'treated very unfairly.' The pledge came as hundreds of rioters had been convicted or pleaded guilty to crimes including assaulting police officers, and as Proud Boys leaders faced seditious conspiracy charges. Trump's pardon promise effectively endorsed the violence and signaled to future supporters that political violence on his behalf would be rewarded.

"I will look very, very favorably about full pardons... We will treat them fairly. And if it requires pardons, we will give them pardons." — CNN interview, May 11, 2023