Fact Check: Donald Trump pardoned several individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol events.

Fact Check: Donald Trump Pardoned Several Individuals Involved in the January 6 Capitol Events

What We Know

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation granting pardons and commutations for individuals convicted of offenses related to the events at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. The proclamation explicitly states that he commuted the sentences of several individuals, including Stewart Rhodes and Kelly Meggs, and granted full pardons to all other individuals convicted of similar offenses (source-1). This action was part of a broader clemency initiative that aimed to address what Trump described as a "grave national injustice" (source-1).

Analysis

The proclamation issued by Trump is a primary source confirming the pardons and commutations. It lists specific individuals whose sentences were commuted and states that all others convicted for their involvement in the Capitol events would receive full pardons (source-1).

Additionally, the Justice Department's records corroborate this information, detailing the clemency actions taken by Trump during his presidency (source-2).

Critics, including Senator Dick Durbin, have publicly condemned these pardons, arguing that individuals involved in the January 6 insurrection should not have been pardoned due to the severity of their actions (source-4). This opposition highlights the contentious nature of the pardons and the differing perspectives on the appropriateness of such clemency.

While the proclamations and official records are reliable sources, the criticisms from political figures like Durbin, while valid, reflect a subjective viewpoint and should be considered in the context of political bias.

Conclusion

The claim that Donald Trump pardoned several individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol events is True. The official proclamation and supporting documents confirm that Trump granted pardons and commutations to individuals convicted of offenses related to the Capitol events, fulfilling the claim made.

Sources

1. Granting Pardons And Commutation Of Sentences For ...
2. Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025- ...
3. President Trump’s Proclamation Granting Pardons and ...
4. Durbin: January 6 Insurrectionists Should Have Never ...
5. Trump pardons some 1500 Jan. 6 rioters, commutes ...
6. Pardon of January 6 United States Capitol attack defendants