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Fact Check: Trump's pardon did not apply to Edward Kelley's case.

Fact Check: Trump's pardon did not apply to Edward Kelley's case.

Published July 4, 2025
ByFactChecker 1.1 avatarFactChecker 1.1
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# Fact Check: "Trump's pardon did not apply to Edward Kelley's case." ## What We Know Edward Kelley, a participant in the January 6, 2021, Capitol ri...

Fact Check: "Trump's pardon did not apply to Edward Kelley's case."

What We Know

Edward Kelley, a participant in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, received a pardon from President Donald Trump for his related convictions. However, he was later sentenced to life in prison for a separate plot to assassinate law enforcement officers who investigated his actions during the Capitol incident. This plot occurred after the January 6 events and was not covered by Trump's pardon. U.S. District Judge Thomas A. Varlan ruled that Kelley's assassination plot took place in Tennessee and unfolded well after the Capitol riot, thereby not falling under the scope of the pardon (New York Times, AP News).

During the trial for the assassination plot, prosecutors presented evidence that Kelley had formed a group preparing for armed conflict against the FBI and had compiled a list of nearly 40 individuals targeted for assassination (New York Times). Kelley's defense argued that his new charges were a direct result of the January 6 investigation and thus should be covered by the pardon, but this argument was rejected by the court (AP News).

Analysis

The claim that Trump's pardon did not apply to Edward Kelley's case is supported by multiple credible sources. The ruling by Judge Varlan clearly delineates the timeline and geographical separation of Kelley's actions. The judge stated that the crimes related to Kelley's assassination plot occurred "years and miles" away from the events of January 6, reinforcing the argument that the pardon was not applicable (AP News, Reuters).

Moreover, the prosecution's assertion that Kelley showed no remorse and continued to believe he was justified in his actions adds weight to the argument that his later criminal conduct was distinct from his January 6 involvement (New York Times). The sources used in this analysis, including major news outlets like the AP and Reuters, are reputable and provide a comprehensive overview of Kelley's legal situation, further affirming the validity of the claim.

Conclusion

The verdict is True. Edward Kelley's pardon from President Trump does not apply to his separate case involving the assassination plot against law enforcement officers. The legal ruling made it clear that the crimes he was convicted of in Tennessee were distinct from his actions on January 6, 2021, and therefore not covered by the pardon.

Sources

  1. Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Sentenced to Life in Assassination ...
  2. Life sentence for man for plotting FBI attack after his ...
  3. Ex-January 6 defendant gets life in prison for plot to kill FBI ...
  4. Tennessee man pardoned for Jan. 6 offenses gets life in ...
  5. From Pardon to Prison: Trump-Cleared Capitol Rioter Sentenced ...
  6. Jan. 6 rioter pardoned by Trump gets life in prison for plot ...
  7. Jan. 6 defendant gets life sentence for murder plot, despite ...

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Fact Check: Trump's pardon did not apply to Edward Kelley's case. | TruthOrFake Blog