President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended the pardons he doled out to people who were convicted for roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, protests — violent in some cases — on Capitol Hill, telling reporters that offenders have "already served years in prison."
Trump made the comments after an AI infrastructure announcement at the White House.
Trump on Monday issued a "complete and unconditional pardon" to most of the individuals who were convicted and ordered the Justice Department to drop the 470 ongoing cases. Trump commuted the sentences of another 14 but did not grant them full pardons. In all, 1,583 people were charged.
He was asked about one pardon for a convicted offender who used a stun gun on a police officer.
"We'll take a look at everything," Trump told reporters in the Roosevelt Room. "But I can say this. Murderers today are not even charged. You have murderers that aren't charged all over.
"These people have already served years in prison, and they've served them viciously. It's a disgusting prison. It's been horrible. It's inhumane. It's been a terrible, terrible thing," Trump added.
Trump was asked about recent comments made by Vice President J.D. Vance, who said on Jan. 12 that violent offenders "obviously" shouldn't be pardoned. Trump was asked why Vance's comments were wrong.
"Only for this reason: They've served years in jail," Trump said, adding, "their lives have been ruined."
"They've served years in jail, and, if you look at the American public, the American public is tired of it," he added.
Trump rejected the notion that the pardons showed that it's permissible to assault police officers.
"I am the friend of police, more than any president that's ever been in this office," he said.
Mark Swanson ✉
Mark Swanson, a Newsmax writer and editor, has nearly three decades of experience covering news, culture and politics.
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