Republicans used to say that the violent rioters of January 6, 2021, should not be forgiven. But now, as President Donald Trump pardons nearly everyone convicted for their role in the Capitol riot—including those who brutally attacked police officers—most GOP leaders are silent or supportive.
“We’re looking at the future, not the past,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) after Trump granted pardons to many of those who stormed the Capitol, assaulted law enforcement, and tried to stop the certification of the 2020 election.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) shrugged it off, saying it’s “the president’s prerogative.” Meanwhile, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) avoided giving a direct answer when asked about the pardons, admitting, “I haven’t gone into the detail.”
This is nothing new for Republicans, who repeatedly dodge tough questions about Trump’s outrageous actions. Now, some are claiming they hadn’t even heard about Trump’s sweeping pardons of over 1,500 people convicted for their violent role in the attack on Congress.
“I want to review and see what he did,” said Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), a typical GOP excuse to avoid taking a stand.
The pardon order is clear: anyone convicted of crimes related to the January 6 attack, including assaults on police officers, will soon be free. Some of the rioters who hurt law enforcement celebrated online after receiving their pardons.
Sen. Hoeven and a few others got bogged down in the detail that 14 people got commutations instead of full pardons. But the bottom line is that violent offenders are being let go.
Some Republicans have also parroted Trump’s false claims that the riot was a setup, blaming it on liberals or even FBI agents. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) went as far as to say, “You could tell it was all a setup,” despite all evidence pointing to the fact that the riot was a violent attempt to overturn a legitimate election.
This conspiracy theory, long pushed by Trump and his allies, has been debunked. The FBI informants present on January 6 were not involved in any illegal actions, according to an agency watchdog.
Other Republicans, like Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno, downplayed the seriousness of the riot. “January 6 was a long time ago,” he said, arguing that people convicted for violent actions against the U.S. government should be freed. “These people have been treated horribly,” he added, ignoring the fact that law enforcement officers were left physically and emotionally shattered by the attack.
Over 600 people were charged with attacking or obstructing police officers that day, and many officers were seriously injured. Five officers died in the aftermath, including one from a stroke and four by suicide.
The pardons clearly caught some Republicans off guard. Both House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Vice President JD Vance had said earlier that they didn’t expect Trump to pardon violent rioters. Vance even stated, “If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn’t be pardoned.”
But Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) defended Trump, saying the pardons were a campaign promise kept. “He said he was going to do this during the campaign, and he did exactly what he said,” Hawley explained.
A few Republicans, like Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), spoke out against the pardons. He recalled seeing video of an officer being crushed by the mob and warned that the pardons sent the wrong message to people who may consider assaulting law enforcement.
“I have a problem with that,” Tillis said. “That’s hard to really understand unless you’re somebody like me that’s had people invade my property.” Tillis has personal experience with death threats and understands the danger of encouraging violent behavior.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) also criticized the pardons. She pointed to a Capitol police officer and said, “I do fear the message that is sent to these great men and women that stood by us.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) added, “No one should excuse violence. And particularly violence against police officers.”
But these few voices of dissent are drowned out by the GOP majority that simply wants to move on. With Republicans focused on confirming Trump’s Cabinet and pushing forward his legislative agenda—including another round of tax cuts—the party is largely silent on the pardons for the rioters.
Democrats were quick to condemn the GOP’s inaction. “These mass pardons are sickening—the ultimate disrespect for police officers who were assaulted brutally by criminal rioters,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). “Shame on Republican colleagues who were protected that terrible day and now stay silent.”
The message is clear: The GOP has abandoned any pretense of standing up for law enforcement or holding rioters accountable. Instead, they let Trump’s pardons for violent criminals slide, furthering their dangerous support for lawlessness.
