In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker, President-elect Donald Trump pledged swift action to address what he considers systemic injustices against individuals prosecuted for their roles in the January 6 Capitol events. Trump’s commitment to issuing day-one pardons for January 6 defendants marks a key element of his upcoming administration’s agenda, alongside sharp criticism of the now-dissolved January 6 Select House Committee.
Trump declared his intention to pardon many January 6 defendants, describing their treatment as a glaring miscarriage of justice. “I’m going to be acting very quickly. First day,” he said, emphasizing the urgency of reviewing their cases.
President Trump says he will be “acting very quickly” on pardons for some J6 defendants: “We’re going to look at individual cases … They’ve been in there for years!” pic.twitter.com/XeLbemtYXO
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) December 8, 2024
The former president described the conditions of their incarceration as “filthy” and “disgusting,” adding, “They’ve been in there for years, and they’re in a place that shouldn’t even be allowed to be open.”
Trump highlighted the pressures many defendants faced under the current judicial system, alleging coercion into plea deals. “The system’s a very corrupt system,” he said. “They say to a guy, ‘You’re going to go to jail for two years or for 30 years.’ And these guys are looking, their whole lives have been destroyed.”
While committed to granting pardons, Trump noted that some exceptions would apply, excluding individuals who acted in ways he deemed “radical” or “crazy.”
Trump’s critique extended to the January 6 Select House Committee, accusing its members of misconduct, including tampering with evidence and promoting false narratives. He alleged the committee destroyed approximately 1.5 to 2 terabytes of critical testimony, a claim echoed earlier this year by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), who oversees the Subcommittee on Oversight for the Committee on House Administration.
Digital forensics experts discovered that more than 100 encrypted files were deleted days before Republicans assumed control of the House in 2023. Trump argued these actions amounted to criminal conduct, particularly targeting committee members like former Chair Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY).
“For what they did, honestly, they should go to jail,” Trump said. However, he clarified he would not direct Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi or the Department of Justice to pursue specific prosecutions against committee members.
President Trump says that Liz Cheney, Benny Thompson and everybody that was on the J6 Committee should go to jail 👀
“For what they did, honestly, they should go to jail.”
I can smell the panic from here and it’s amazing. pic.twitter.com/dtAQN2tjDn
— TheStormHasArrived (@TheStormRedux) December 8, 2024
Trump’s comments came on the heels of President Joe Biden’s controversial pardon of his son, Hunter Biden. Trump questioned the perceived double standard, suggesting similar clemency should be extended to January 6 defendants.
“Does the pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years?” Trump asked rhetorically, calling their treatment an “abuse and miscarriage of justice.”
Trump has consistently described the prosecution of January 6 participants as an example of political weaponization by the Department of Justice. Speaking to the Patriot Freedom Project earlier this year, he vowed to reverse what he labeled as unconstitutional practices and restore fairness to the judicial process.
As Trump prepares to return to the White House, his plans to issue day-one pardons signal a broader effort to overhaul the Department of Justice. His criticism of the January 6 prosecutions aligns with his longstanding accusations of bias within federal law enforcement agencies.
While Trump’s proposals have garnered support among his base, they also draw sharp criticism from opponents who view his approach as undermining accountability for the events of January 6.
Trump’s commitment to revisiting these prosecutions reflects his broader focus on addressing what he sees as politically motivated abuses within the justice system. His stance reinforces his campaign promises to combat perceived government overreach and restore trust in federal institutions.
This bold pledge ensures that Trump’s handling of January 6-related cases will remain a defining issue of his administration and a flashpoint in the nation’s ongoing political discourse.
2 Comments
Catefull now, ……Democrats and GOP RINO’s will impeach you for pardoning “”CONVICTED INSURRECTIONISTS””.
You will be set up …AGAIN!
Charlie Seattle, wrong, no one was charged with insurrection and convicted for it.
Regardless, the opponents are correct JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, therefore the J6 unlesct committee members need to be arrested, tried and convicted for destruction of government properly, abuse of power, using government funds to further a preferred political agenda, and for lying to Congress and the people (violation of oath of office in general). They need to have all government retirement funds seized for life as part of the recovery.
Justice must be served.
With regard to those incarcerated in federal prisons and held longer than the highest possible sentence before trial, the office of the President needs to sue the justice department for recovery under 18 USC and possibly file charges against specific persons under 18 uSC 241 and 18 USC 242.