Former U.S. President Donald Trump opened the door to the idea of pardoning some of the protesters who invaded Congress in January 2021 and were convicted, should he win a victory in the 2024 presidential election.
“If I run, and if I win, we will treat those on Jan. 6 fairly,” the Republican billionaire said Saturday night during an event with supporters in Conroe, Texas.
“If that requires pardons, we will give them pardons, because they are treated unfairly,” he said.
See also: Biden accuses Trump of provoking violence in assault on the Capitol; it’s a “political theater,” he replies.
Since the events of January 6, 2021, more than 725 people – including members of the far-right groups Proud Boys, Oath Keepers or Three Percenters – have been arrested and charged for their participation in that unprecedented attack on the congressional headquarters, which resulted in five deaths, including a policeman.
In front of millions of stunned viewers around the world, a crowd of Donald Trump supporters struggled with police to enter the Capitol. One part achieved its goal at a time when lawmakers were due to certify the victory of Democrat Joe Biden in the November 2020 presidential election, forcing the evacuation of officials and representatives.
On January 13 this year, the founder of the far-right group Oath Keepers, Stewart Rhodes, 56, was charged with “sedition” along with ten other members of the organization.
At the same time, a parliamentary committee continues its work to clarify the facts and determine the possible responsibility of Trump and his collaborators in the incident. His daughter Ivanka was invited to testify.
Lawmakers, mostly Democrats, are racing against time because they want to publish their findings before the midterm congressional elections later this year, in which Republicans could regain control of the House and bury their work.
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