Trumps promise to pardon those convicted of crimes

President-elect Donald Trump has made a bold and controversial promise to pardon those convicted of crimes related to the January 6th Capitol riot “in the first hour” of his new term. This announcement comes after Trump initially stated it would happen on “Day One.” Despite claims that President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter set the stage for this abuse of clemency, Trump’s promise of January 6th pardons was actually a cornerstone of his 2022 re-election campaign.

The burning question now is just how far Trump is willing to go with these pardons. Will he absolve those who violently attacked law enforcement officers, brutally assaulting them with baseball bats and fire extinguishers? Trump himself has indicated that he would. What about the masterminds behind the seditious conspiracy convictions? Will they also receive pardons?

The University of Maryland has identified more than 50 extremist groups that were present at the Capitol on that pivotal day, with the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers at the forefront. In the aftermath of the insurrection, as the Justice Department intensified its efforts against their leadership, these groups experienced a significant decline in both membership and activity, with several ultimately disbanding entirely.

Numerous paramilitary groups are currently active along the southern border, apprehending migrants and handing them over to local authorities. Some even collaborate directly with law enforcement. It is not difficult to envision increased cooperation in the future, potentially involving federal agencies, particularly as the strain of mass deportations tests the government’s capabilities. Furthermore, it is not far-fetched to anticipate a rise in intimidation and violence, targeting events like Pride gatherings and protests, as well as journalists reporting on paramilitary activities, in an effort to suppress diversity and dissent.

As Trump prepares to wield his pardon power, the nation watches with bated breath to see how this controversial chapter in American history will unfold. The stakes are high, the tension palpable, and the consequences far-reaching. The drama continues to unfold as the fate of those involved in the January 6th insurrection hangs in the balance.

Since January 6th, militants have intensified their intimidation tactics at the local level, disrupting school board meetings and town council sessions. Incidents of threats and harassment against local officials have been steadily increasing, with over 600 recorded in 2024—double the number from 2022. A national survey in the last quarter of 2024 revealed that one in three school board members had been insulted, one in six harassed, and one in twelve threatened, leading to a decline in their willingness to continue their duties. Minorities and women have disproportionately borne the brunt of these attacks. However, militants may be realizing that while targeting school boards and town councils may yield a certain level of power, gaining positions within these institutions offers a different form of influence.

The sheer audacity and brilliance of pardoning individuals involved in an insurrection against the very democracy they claim to uphold is truly awe-inspiring. It warms the heart to see such a blatant disregard for the rule of law and the principles of democracy. It appears this will be Trumps way of governing, total disregard for the law, but of course is he not a convicted felon?