The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) have jointly expressed deep concern over the recent pardons granted by both President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden.
The police organizations stated that when individuals who commit serious crimes, especially those targeting law enforcement, are not held fully accountable, it sends a dangerous message that the consequences for attacking law enforcement are not severe. This could potentially embolden others to commit similar acts of violence.
President Trump, on his first day back in the White House, granted pardons to individuals involved in the violence against police officers during the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. Approximately 1,500 people received full pardons, charges were dropped for those with pending prosecutions, and the sentences of 14 individuals were commuted. Among those who had their sentences commuted were high-profile leaders of the far-right Proud Boys and Oath Keepers who were convicted for their roles in the Capitol attack.
Former President Joe Biden, in the final hours of his presidency, issued a commutation to Leonard Peltier, an indigenous activist convicted in the killing of two FBI agents in 1975. The commutation allows the 80-year-old Peltier to serve the remainder of his sentence at home.