Overview

• Donald Trump issued pardons for nearly all individuals charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot, including those convicted of violent assaults on police officers.
• Many recipients of the pardons had extensive criminal records, including convictions for rape, domestic violence, child sexual abuse, and manslaughter, unrelated to their actions on January 6.
• At least two pardoned individuals have been rearrested within days of their release, including one fatal police shooting during a traffic stop and another on federal gun charges.
• Some Capitol rioters remain wanted for preexisting charges, such as solicitation of a minor, while others have been linked to militia groups with increased activity since their release.
• Critics, including lawmakers and legal experts, have questioned the lack of individualized review in the clemency process, citing risks to public safety and concerns over the administration of justice.