Fact Check: "Trump pardoned all January 6 rioters on his first day back in office."
What We Know
The claim that "Trump pardoned all January 6 rioters on his first day back in office" is misleading. On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump did issue pardons and commutations for over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, including notable figures like Enrique Tarrio and Stewart Rhodes, leaders of far-right groups. However, the statement that he pardoned "all" rioters is inaccurate. The pardons were part of a broader clemency initiative, but not every individual charged in connection with the events of January 6 received a pardon. The pardons were described as a fulfillment of a campaign promise to address what Trump termed a "grave national injustice" (NPR, AP News).
Analysis
While Trump did indeed issue pardons on his first day back in office, the assertion that he pardoned all rioters is an exaggeration. The pardons included those convicted of serious offenses, such as assaulting police officers, but did not encompass every individual charged in the aftermath of the riot. The Justice Department had been pursuing a large number of cases against participants in the January 6 events, and while Trump's actions aimed to dismiss many of these cases, it is critical to note that not every rioter received a pardon (AP News, NPR).
The sources used are reputable, with NPR and AP News being established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. However, the interpretation of the pardons as a blanket action for "all" rioters lacks nuance and fails to accurately represent the scope of Trump's clemency actions.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that Trump pardoned all January 6 rioters on his first day back in office is misleading. While he did issue pardons for a significant number of individuals involved in the events of January 6, it is incorrect to state that this included every person charged. The reality is more complex, and the scope of the pardons did not extend to all defendants.
