Some Republicans express opposition to Trump’s Jan. 6 pardons

[Ray Bogan]

A number of Republicans are speaking out against President Trump’s pardons for those convicted of assaulting police officers during the January 6, 2021 riot at the US capitol. 

The president gave unconditional pardons to more than 1,500 people convicted of offenses and ordered anyone held in jail to be immediately released. 

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C.: “I’m about to file two bills that will increase the penalties up to and including the death penalty for the murder of a police officer, and increasing the penalties and creating federal crimes for assaulting a police officer. That should give you everything you need to know about my position.” 

Approximately 140 police officers were assaulted at the Capitol that day. The Justice Department announced three years later that it had charged 452 defendants with assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer or employee. 

That includes 123 individuals who were charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer. 

Sen. Susan Collins, R-ME: “I do not support the pardons if they were given, if they were given to people who committed violent crimes, including assaulting police officers or breaking windows to get into the Capitol or other violent acts pepper spray, for example.”

Other Republicans say President Trump made the right decision, even when pressed on pardons for those who assaulted police officers. 

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-AL: “They’ve been under two years, but we’re talking about some are convicted. We’ve had people police officer, police officers all over the country the last two years, and nothing’s done to them. They go in the front door out the back.” 

Speaker Mike Johnson did not support or oppose President Trump’s decision. 

Speaker Johnson: “The President has the pardon and commutation authority. It’s his decision.// 17:36 The President’s made his decision. I don’t second guess those. And yes it’s kind of my ethos, my world view, we believe in redemption.” 

He had a much different reaction to President Biden’s preemptive pardons for members of his family. 

Speaker Mike Johnson: “To us it is disgusting. To us it probably proves the point, the suspicion that you know they call it the Biden crime family. If they weren’t the crime family why do they need pardons?” 

Members of Congress say they want to look into pardons that both Trump and Biden granted. The Constitution and Supreme Court precedent make clear the pardon authority belongs to the president and the president alone.