In a surprising move, President Donald Trump has issued a proclamation pardoning nearly 1,270 individuals convicted in connection with the January 6 US Capitol attack. Additionally, he has directed the Justice Department to drop approximately 300 pending cases and ordered the release of 14 defendants charged in serious sedition cases.
While some, including Trump's advisers and GOP allies, had suggested that only nonviolent offenders should be pardoned, the proclamation signed by Trump extends to approximately 600 individuals with felony convictions for assaulting or impeding police during the riot.
Among those granted clemency are individuals like Julian Khater, who assaulted a Capitol Police Officer, Devlyn Thompson, who struck an officer with a metal baton, and Robert Palmer, who attacked police with various weapons.
In a separate action, Trump commuted the sentences of 14 far-right extremists from groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys who were convicted or charged with seditious conspiracy. This commutation will lead to their imminent release from prison, although it falls short of a full pardon.
The proclamation also instructs the US attorney general to dismiss all pending cases related to the Capitol attack, which would impact around 300 cases still in the court system.
