Two brothers convicted for their roles in the attack on the US Capitol were released from a DC jail on Monday night, following a set of pardons issued by former President Donald Trump for January 6, 2021 rioters.
Andrew Valentin and Matthew Valentin, who were each sentenced to two and a half years in prison last week, walked out of the DC Central Detention Facility on Monday night. The release was confirmed by a liaison to the Justice Department who mentioned that this was the first release of January 6 defendants after Trump's pardon.
Matthew Valentin was involved in an incident where he attempted to tear a baton from a police officer during the Capitol riot, while Andrew Valentin threw a chair at a police line. Both brothers had pleaded guilty in September to assaulting police officers.
President Trump, shortly after his second inauguration, granted pardons to approximately 1,500 individuals charged in the insurrection. Additionally, he commuted the sentences of leaders of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers who were convicted of seditious conspiracy.
The release of the Valentin brothers came after Trump's historic pardon, with reports suggesting that billionaire Elon Musk played a role in facilitating their release.
The pardons and commutations issued by Trump have sparked debate and controversy, with critics questioning the implications of granting clemency to individuals involved in the Capitol riot.
