Fact Check: "Trump pardoned all Jan. 6 rioters on his first day back in office."
What We Know
The claim that "Trump pardoned all Jan. 6 rioters on his first day back in office" is based on events that occurred on January 20, 2025, when President Donald Trump issued a proclamation granting clemency to individuals convicted of offenses related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. This proclamation included a full pardon for all individuals convicted of such offenses, as well as commutations for specific individuals (see source-2).
However, it is important to clarify that this action took place during Trump's second term, which began on January 20, 2025, and not immediately upon his return to office after a previous term. The claim inaccurately implies that the pardons were issued on the first day of a new presidency rather than the first day of a second term.
Analysis
The proclamation by President Trump on January 20, 2025, indeed granted pardons to over 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the January 6 insurrection (source-5). This action has been criticized by various political figures, including Senator Dick Durbin, who argued that these pardons were unjust and undermined accountability for the violence that occurred (source-3).
The reliability of the sources discussing the pardons varies. Official proclamations from the White House (source-2) are authoritative, while news articles and political commentary (source-3, source-5) provide context and opinion but may be subject to bias.
Furthermore, the assertion that Trump pardoned "all" Jan. 6 rioters is misleading. While the proclamation did grant broad pardons, it is important to note that there were specific individuals who received commutations rather than full pardons, indicating a nuanced approach to clemency (source-2).
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump pardoned all Jan. 6 rioters on his first day back in office" is False. While it is true that Trump issued a blanket pardon for many individuals associated with the January 6 events, this occurred on the first day of his second term, not a return to office after a previous term. Additionally, the claim oversimplifies the nature of the pardons, which included both full pardons and commutations for specific individuals.
