Trump Defends Pardons for January 6 Rioters, Critiques Biden's Pardon Power
In his first interview of the term, Trump defends pardons for January 6 rioters while suggesting Biden should have pardoned himself.
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Get StartedTrump's decision to issue pardons for those involved in the January 6 Capitol riots underscores his belief that these individuals were unjustly penalized for expressing their dissent against what he claims was a rigged election.
Trump defends January 6 pardons in his first Oval Office interview of second term
Business Insider·3M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.Trump's disregard for the severity of the January 6 riots, downplaying the violence against police officers as mere 'minor incidents,' underscores not only his continued denial of the events but also raises troubling questions about his commitment to justice and accountability.
‘Very minor incidents’: Trump defends January 6 pardons in first interview since inauguration
The Guardian·3M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.The recent actions of both Trump and Biden in granting pardons highlight a troubling disregard for the principles of justice and accountability, demonstrating the urgent need for comprehensive reform of the pardon system.
Editorial: Trump & Biden give presidential pardons a black eye
Boston Herald·3M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.Trump's characterization of the Capitol riots as 'minor incidents' severely downplays the severity of the violence faced by law enforcement and undermines the gravity of the events that transpired on January 6.
Trump Brushes Off Jan. 6 Rioters Beating Cops: 'Minor Incidents'
Rolling Stone·3M
·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.The author implies that Biden's failure to pardon himself reflects poor decision-making and questionable advice from his advisers, setting him up for potential legal troubles.
Trump suggests it was a mistake Biden didn’t pardon himself
The Hill·3M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.In a controversial move, President Trump has chosen to pardon two former police officers whose actions during a pursuit led to the death of a young man, raising significant questions about accountability in law enforcement.
Trump Pardons DC Officers Sentenced in Connection to Car Chase Death
Breitbart News·3M
·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.Kinzinger's outrage highlights the hypocrisy of Speaker Johnson's use of the concept of redemption, emphasizing that true repentance is lacking among those pardoned by Trump.
Adam Kinzinger Rips Speaker Johnson for Defending Pardons
MEDIAite·3M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.The refusal of D.C. jail officials to release January 6 prisoners, despite President Trump's pardons, reflects a troubling trend in government overreach and disregard for due process, raising alarms among residents who are becoming increasingly aware of the situation's unfairness.
Are D.C. prisons ignoring Trump’s January 6 pardons? Senator says ‘yes’
The Blaze·3M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.The decision to grant pardons to the officers involved in such a controversial case raises serious questions about accountability and justice within the police force.
Trump pardons police officers convicted of murder, obstruction in man's death
USA TODAY·3M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The dismissals of charges and the sweeping pardons issued by President Trump not only undermine the judicial process but also risk glorifying the insurrectionists, setting a troubling precedent for future electoral disputes.
CBS News·3M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The decision to grant pardons to the convicted officers not only raises serious questions about accountability within law enforcement but also suggests a troubling precedent where justice appears to be swayed by political affiliations.
Trump pardons former DC police officers convicted in death of man during deadly pursuit
FOX News·3M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.The uncomfortable truth is that clemency for those involved in the January 6 insurrection, particularly violent offenders like Daniel Ball, raises serious questions about accountability and the rule of law in America.
Jan. 6 Defendant Who Received Clemency From Trump Arrested On Gun Charge From 2023
HuffPost·3M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.This order confirms that, now that he is back in office, Trump will have no qualms toggling the levers of executive power to follow through on his promises of revenge.
Trump Targets His Own Government
The Atlantic·3M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.The pardons granted by Trump are not only sickening but reflect a deeply troubling set of priorities within the Republican Party, as they allow violent offenders back on the streets while undermining the very notion of law and order.
AlterNet·3M
·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.The return of Stewart Rhodes to Capitol Hill, alongside the mass clemency granted by Trump to the Jan. 6 rioters, underscores a troubling moment in American history where the consequences of insurrection seem to be brushed aside in favor of political redemption.
Notorious Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes spotted near Capitol after being freed by Trump
New York Post·3M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.The judges' remarks underscore the enduring impact of the January 6 attack and the futility of attempts to excuse or diminish the violence and chaos it wreaked on the nation's democracy.
Stewart Rhodes, convicted of seditious conspiracy and released by Trump, visits Capitol Hill
PBS NewsHour·3M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.The sharp division among Republicans highlights the contentious nature of President Trump’s pardons, with some vehemently opposing the clemency for violent offenders while others staunchly defend it as a matter of principle.
Some Republicans express opposition to Trump's Jan. 6 pardons
Straight Arrow News·3M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The author expresses a complex stance on President Trump's blanket pardons for January 6 rioters, highlighting concerns about due process and the politicization of justice, while also drawing historical parallels to past acts of clemency for violent insurrections.
The J6 Pardons — the Long View
New York Sun·3M
·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.The FOP's criticism of Trump's pardons reveals a troubling disconnect between his support for law enforcement and his willingness to overlook the consequences of violence against police officers by his supporters.
Reason·3M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.Trump’s decision to let those who rioted in his name out of prison reflects what the electorate voted for and represents the final rewriting of the history of January 6, which the country is, at least for now, willing to forget.
Trump’s January 6 pardons were democratically legitimate — and dangerous
Vox·3M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.Despite President Trump's attempt to rewrite history through mass pardons, the fundamental truth of the January 6 Capitol riot remains unchanged and is preserved in the objective records of the events.
Trump's Jan. 6 pardons won't change the 'truth', judge says
ABC News·3M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The legal system's unyielding counsel against the mass pardons is a reminder that the violent events of January 6th, which shook the foundations of American democracy, cannot simply be brushed aside by political maneuvers.
Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes visits Capitol Hill after Trump clemency
Associated Press·3M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The heated exchange between Rep. Burchett and Jim Acosta underscores the deep divisions in American political discourse, highlighting Burchett's contention that mainstream media like CNN are more focused on attacking Trump than addressing broader issues in society.
Daily Caller·3M
·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.Trump's sweeping pardons for January 6 defendants, particularly those who assaulted police officers, have left Democrats not only horrified but also convinced that collaboration with the self-styled dealmaker will be an uphill battle.
Trump's "f***ing brutal" Jan. 6 pardons have House Democrats apoplectic
Axios·3M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The contrasting approaches to pardons by Biden and Trump highlight the troubling implications of Trump's rhetoric, which seems to endorse violence against law enforcement and sends a deeply concerning message to the public.
Bernie Sanders says Biden's pardons can't 'equate' to Trump's
Washington Examiner·3M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.Trump's sweeping pardon of nearly all individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol attack reflects a controversial commitment to his base, but raises significant concerns about accountability and the implications for justice moving forward.
Trump's last-minute decision to go big on Jan. 6 pardons took many allies by surprise
NBC News·3M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.Trump's aggressive approach to granting clemency to those involved in the Capitol attack reflects his ongoing commitment to reshaping political norms and fostering a more inclusive space for extremist groups within American politics.
Trump defends pardons for rioters and suggests Proud Boys could have place in politics
Boston Globe·3M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.The pardons issued by Trump represent a troubling disregard for justice and a betrayal of the rule of law, as evidenced by the violence against police during the January 6 insurrection and the widespread disapproval among the public.
Some Trump voters express reservations with his sweeping Jan. 6 pardons
NPR·3M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Summary
In a recent Fox News interview, President Trump defended his pardons for over 1,500 January 6 rioters, dismissing the incidents as minor. He criticized former President Biden for not using his pardon power for himself and implied that Biden's advisers misled him. Trump's comments have sparked further bipartisan backlash, with lawmakers and judges asserting these pardons do not change the realities of the Capitol riot. Trump suggested that investigations into Biden's decisions may be warranted, escalating tensions surrounding accountability and justice related to both the January 6 event and political pardons.
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History
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