Trump pardons nearly 1,600 Capitol riot defendants as he signs first orders of presidency

In his first executive act as the 47th US President, Donald Trump granted pardons or commutations to over 1,500 individuals linked to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Among them were members of far-right groups, the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, including their leaders Stewart Rhodes and Enrique Tarrio.

Trump also ordered the Department of Justice to drop all pending riot-related cases, calling the prosecutions a “grave injustice.”

The sweeping clemency ignited sharp criticism from Democrats, who accused Trump of undermining justice and betraying law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi labeled the move an insult to those harmed in the attack.

Meanwhile, jubilant families of pardoned defendants gathered outside federal jails, awaiting their release.