Trump's Pardon of The Jan. 6 Insurrectionists

One of President Trump’s first actions in office was to pardon everyone involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. In doing so, Trump contradicted Vice President J.D. Vance, who just last week stated that those who used violence against law enforcement should not be pardoned. This move highlights Trump’s continued unpredictable leadership style. While the pardon signals loyalty to his supporters, it also undermines his political platform’s emphasis on “law and order” by absolving individuals who attacked police officers. Unlike his first term, Trump now wields significantly more political capital, meaning this decision is unlikely to harm him substantially. However, it appears he is willing to spend that capital early, signaling that his allegiance to “Trumpism” outweighs broader principles like law and order.

More