GRANTING PARDONS AND COMMUTATION OF SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES RELATING TO THE EVENTS AT OR NEAR THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6, 2021
This presidential proclamation commutes the sentences of several individuals convicted of January 6th-related offenses to time served and grants a full pardon to all others.
It directs the Attorney General to ensure immediate release from prison and the dismissal of pending indictments.
The President frames this action as addressing a grave national injustice and initiating national reconciliation.
Arguments For
- Intended benefits: National reconciliation and closure following the January 6th events. Ending perceived injustice and promoting healing. Reducing prison overcrowding and associated costs.
- Evidence cited: Implied reference to Article II, Section 2, of the US Constitution, granting the President pardon power.
- Implementation methods: Issuance of certificates of pardon, directives to the Attorney General and the Bureau of Prisons for immediate release and dismissal of pending indictments.
- Legal/historical basis: The President's constitutional authority to grant pardons.
Arguments Against
- Potential impacts: Perceived lack of accountability for those involved in the January 6th attack. Potential for reduced deterrence against future acts of political violence. Further polarization of public opinion.
- Implementation challenges: Ensuring timely and efficient execution of the pardons and commutations across multiple government agencies. Managing public perception and criticism.
- Alternative approaches: Focus on rehabilitation and restorative justice programs for convicted individuals. Further investigation and prosecution of higher-level individuals involved in the January 6th events.
- Unintended effects: Setting a precedent for future pardons of similar offenses. Undermining faith in the judicial system.
GRANTING PARDONS AND COMMUTATION OF SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES RELATING TO THE EVENTS AT OR NEAR THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6, 2021
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION
This proclamation ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation.
Acting pursuant to the grant of authority in Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution of the United States, I do hereby:
(a) commute the sentences of the following individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, to time served as of January 20, 2025:
• Stewart Rhodes • Kelly Meggs • Kenneth Harrelson • Thomas Caldwell • Jessica Watkins • Roberto Minuta • Edward Vallejo • David Moerschel • Joseph Hackett • Ethan Nordean • Joseph Biggs • Zachary Rehl • Dominic Pezzola • Jeremy Bertino
(b) grant a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021;
The Attorney General shall administer and effectuate the immediate issuance of certificates of pardon to all individuals described in section (b) above, and shall ensure that all individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, who are currently held in prison are released immediately. The Bureau of Prisons shall immediately implement all instructions from the Department of Justice regarding this directive.
I further direct the Attorney General to pursue dismissal with prejudice to the government of all pending indictments against individuals for their conduct related to the events at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. The Bureau of Prisons shall immediately implement all instructions from the Department of Justice regarding this directive.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
This presidential proclamation addresses the January 6th, 2021, Capitol events.
It reduces the sentences of specific individuals to time served and grants full pardons to others convicted of related crimes.
The Attorney General is tasked with issuing pardon certificates and ensuring the immediate release of prisoners.
Additionally, the Attorney General is instructed to pursue the dismissal of all pending indictments.
The proclamation is presented as resolving a significant national injustice and fostering reconciliation.
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