Republican Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina expressed his disagreement with President Donald Trump's decision to commute the sentences or pardon a vast number of January 6 insurrectionists. Tillis, who has previously warned against granting a blanket pardon to the attackers, raised concerns about the safety of Capitol Hill due to this move. He emphasized his intention to introduce two bills that would increase penalties, potentially including the death penalty, for the murder of a police officer and for assaulting a police officer at the federal level.
Senator Tillis also criticized former President Joe Biden's pardons, which included preemptive pardons for Trump critics and members of Biden's own family before leaving office. Senator John Cornyn from Texas, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, refrained from expressing his opinion on Trump's decision, stating that it is the president's prerogative.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune commented on Biden's actions, suggesting that they had paved the way for Trump's sweeping pardons of January 6 offenders, including those who had committed acts of violence. Thune emphasized the importance of looking forward rather than dwelling on past decisions.
Senator James Lankford from Oklahoma expressed his concern over the details of Trump's pardons and commutations for January 6 attackers, particularly those responsible for assaulting police officers. Lankford stressed the seriousness of attacking law enforcement officers and the need for accountability in such cases.
Overall, Republican senators have varied responses to Trump's pardons for January 6 attackers, with some expressing disagreement and concern over the implications for law enforcement and Capitol Hill security.
