Mass pardons for January 6 rioters on first day in office

On his first day in office, Trump granted blanket clemency to approximately 1,500-1,600 people convicted of or awaiting trial for the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, including violent offenders who assaulted police. More than 600 rioters had been convicted of or pleaded guilty to assaulting or obstructing law enforcement, and 170 were convicted of using a deadly weapon. The pardons included Enrique Tarrio (Proud Boys chairman, serving 22-year sentence for seditious conspiracy) and Stewart Rhodes (Oath Keepers founder). Trump's proclamation called the prosecutions a "grave national injustice" and positioned the pardons as a "process of national reconciliation." The Fraternal Order of Police condemned the pardons, stating they "send a dangerous message that the consequences for attacking law enforcement are not severe."

"grave national injustice" — Trump's proclamation characterizing January 6 prosecutions