Donald Trump defended his decision to pardon and commute the sentences of nearly 1,500 people charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot, including some who assaulted police officers. In a White House press conference on Tuesday, Trump explained that many of those convicted in the aftermath of the attack had been treated unfairly.
In one of his first acts as president in a second term, Trump commuted the sentences of 14 prisoners and pardoned others convicted of crimes tied to the violent events of 2021. He also instructed the attorney general to drop all ongoing cases related to the riot, which was the largest federal investigation in U.S. history.
“They’ve served years in jail,” Trump said when asked about the pardons. “They should not have served, and they’ve served years in jail. And murderers don’t even go to jail in this country.”
Trump argued that the people involved had been “treated unbelievably poorly,” adding that they were, in his view, victims of an overzealous legal system.
Some of those pardoned had been convicted of attacking law enforcement officers who were trying to protect the Capitol during the January 6 chaos, which happened as Congress was certifying Joe Biden’s victory. The pardons covered people who were armed with items like stun guns, batons, and even a hatchet.
Trump also spoke out about members of the Oath Keepers, a far-right militia group, calling their sentences “ridiculous and excessive.” He said that, after reviewing their cases, the White House believed that these individuals were “people that actually love our country,” and he thought a pardon was the right move. Several Oath Keepers were convicted of seditious conspiracy over their roles in the riot.
Throughout his remarks, Trump used the pardons as a springboard to talk about other issues, including rising violent crime in American cities and the pardons granted by President Biden for members of the House January 6 committee, as well as for some of Biden’s own relatives before leaving office.
Trump also weighed in on other policy matters, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine. He said it was “likely” that his administration would impose additional sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin doesn’t make progress on a peace deal with Ukraine.
On trade, Trump announced plans to slap a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada starting February 1, blaming them for allowing “millions and millions” of people to cross into the U.S. He also suggested the U.S. might consider a 10% tariff on China.
Trump was also asked about his stance on the H-1B visa program, which has drawn criticism from some of his supporters who believe it takes jobs from Americans. He said he was “sort of on both sides of the argument,” but emphasized that he supports bringing in skilled workers to the U.S., even if it means training others who may not have the same qualifications.
The former president also touched on the issue of TikTok, saying he would be “open” to tech billionaires like Elon Musk or Larry Ellison buying the app to keep it running in the U.S. He added that TikTok “is worthless if it doesn’t get a permit,” referencing a law signed by Joe Biden that forces TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell most of its stake in the company.
It was the second consecutive day Trump took questions from the press, giving a mix of policy updates and off-the-cuff remarks that reflected the freewheeling style he was known for during his first term in office.
Watch the clip below:
REPORTER: JD Vance said 'if you committed violence on January 6, obviously you should not be pardoned.' Why is your VP wrong?
TRUMP: Only for one reason. They've served years in jail and murderers don't even go to jail in this country. pic.twitter.com/Mq3RXnp5N0
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 21, 2025
