GBH, January 2025
Extremists who took part in protesting President Donald Trump’s election loss on January 6, 2021, may get an olive branch when the 45th president returns to power. Trump has long championed their actions, including referring to the event as a “day of love” and calling those incarcerated “political prisoners” who should be released. Some of those getting a second chance could include more than 40 people in New England arrested in connection to the siege. Individuals face charges that include trespassing, disorderly conduct and assault on Capitol police.
Trump has said he will “most likely” issue pardons to individuals who were involved in the insurrection — as soon as his first day in office — with some possible exceptions depending on the person’s conduct. Presidents hold significant power in being able to issue pardons and commutations of sentences.
