Fact Check: Trump pardoned domestic terrorists early in his presidency, critics claim.

Fact Check: "Trump pardoned domestic terrorists early in his presidency, critics claim."

What We Know

In January 2025, President Donald Trump granted pardons to approximately 1,500 individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. This action has been criticized by various lawmakers, including U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, who stated that many of those pardoned posed a clear threat to public safety. Durbin highlighted that some of these individuals had already been rearrested or were wanted for serious crimes, including soliciting sexual relationships with minors (Durbin).

The pardons were part of a broader response to the events of January 6, 2021, when a mob stormed the Capitol, resulting in significant injuries to law enforcement and the deaths of several officers (Domestic Terrorism and Attack on the U.S. Capitol). The U.S. Attorney’s Office reported that around 1,572 defendants had been federally charged in connection with the attack, with many facing serious charges, including assaulting law enforcement officers (Durbin).

Analysis

The claim that Trump pardoned individuals labeled as "domestic terrorists" is supported by multiple sources. Senator Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor provide a detailed account of the consequences of these pardons, emphasizing the violent actions of those involved in the insurrection and their subsequent lack of remorse (Durbin). He specifically mentioned individuals who had been pardoned and later engaged in criminal activities, reinforcing the argument that these pardons could endanger public safety.

However, the term "domestic terrorists" is subjective and politically charged. Critics of Trump’s pardons, including those in the media and political spheres, have used this term to describe the insurrectionists, while supporters may argue that these individuals were exercising their rights to protest. The New York Times, for instance, referred to the pardons as encouragement for domestic terrorists, indicating a strong editorial stance against Trump's actions (New York Times).

The reliability of the sources used in this fact-check is generally high. Senator Durbin's statements are part of an official congressional record, which lends credibility to his claims. The U.S. Attorney’s Office data is also a reliable source, as it is a government entity responsible for prosecuting federal crimes. However, opinion pieces, such as those from the New York Times and ProPublica, while informative, may carry inherent biases that should be acknowledged when interpreting their conclusions (ProPublica).

Conclusion

The claim that Trump pardoned individuals labeled as domestic terrorists is True. The evidence presented by Senator Durbin and corroborated by federal data indicates that a significant number of those pardoned were involved in violent actions during the January 6 insurrection and that some have continued to engage in criminal behavior post-pardon. The characterization of these individuals as "domestic terrorists" reflects a critical perspective on their actions and the implications of their pardons.

Fact Check: Trump pardoned domestic terrorists early in his presidency, critics claim.