Trump's Vow for Jan. 6 Pardons Leaves Loyalists Anxious Amid His Post-Election Silence.
His devoted supporters, along with certain federal judges, are left pondering his intentions regarding clemency.
TroibNews 
Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to issue pardons for a large number of his supporters involved in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. However, his continued silence on this issue since his election victory is causing concern among his dedicated allies who are eager for even a hint about how he plans to fulfill that campaign promise.
Federal judges overseeing the January 6 cases are now left to speculate regarding Trump’s intentions, which has led them to permit nearly all cases to move forward, stating that Trump’s clemency plans are merely “speculative.” Meanwhile, federal prosecutors have initiated several new felony cases related to January 6 since Election Day and have consistently countered attempts by defendants to postpone proceedings in anticipation of Trump’s inauguration.
The Justice Department has charged over 1,500 individuals for their involvement in the Capitol riot. Throughout his campaign for the 2024 election, Trump frequently asserted that he would pardon many of those charged, but he made no specific commitments and did not clarify whether he would allow some prosecutions to continue, particularly those involving assaults on law enforcement.
Now that he is president-elect, his lack of communication has left some of his most ardent supporters feeling anxious, leading to speculation on X regarding Trump’s plans.
“[H]onestly people have suffered for 4 years and many are still in flux and terrified. A word of reassurance from the top would go a long way for people,” expressed Brandon Straka, a notable Trump supporter who spent three months in home detention after pleading guilty to January 6 misdemeanors. “The silence on the issue just exacerbates the victims’ anxiety. Hopefully some kind of messaging comes soon.”
Adding to the apprehension among January 6 defendants is a statement from Trump’s transition team that suggested a more narrow approach than the widespread pardons many of Trump’s supporters have called for.
"President Trump will make pardon decisions on a case-by-case basis,” stated incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The phrase “case-by-case” has sparked intense discussion among January 6 defendants and their supporters.
“It is just a phrase. ‘Case by case,’ It isn't a policy, or a strategy, or anything,” opined Suzzanne Monk, a longtime advocate for January 6 defendants. “It is a catch phrase the media is using to push the ‘only some will be pardoned’ narrative.”
In addition to the discussions surrounding Trump’s clemency plans, defendants have been considering whether his selection of Pam Bondi as attorney general will aid efforts to halt the ongoing criminal investigations into the Capitol attack, which interrupted the certification of Joe Biden's 2020 victory.
John Lauro, one of Trump’s personal lawyers, mentioned in a recent interview with an advocate for January 6 defendants that he has known Bondi for 35 years but has not yet discussed her views regarding the riot.
“I know she will take this issue very seriously,” Lauro said in his interview with Julie Kelly. “Knowing her like I do, she will ensure every person in the criminal justice system has been dealt with fairly and justly.”
Throughout the 2024 campaign, Trump at times indicated he would pardon nearly all January 6 defendants, including those who engaged in violent acts, but on other occasions, he suggested he might withhold pardons from those who “got out of control.”
A spokesperson for Trump did not address the concerns emerging from January 6 defendants and instead referenced Trump’s prior comments during the campaign. The spokesperson, Steven Cheung, has not responded to questions seeking clarification on the extent of potential pardons from Trump.
Reports indicate that Trump had contemplated granting a blanket pardon for those involved in the Capitol riot during the final weeks of his first term, but ultimately decided against it. Recently, a federal judge appointed by Trump criticized the idea that Trump might reconsider such a sweeping pardon in the future.
Conversely, two Trump allies in Congress, Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Andy Biggs, have renewed their calls for Trump to issue blanket pardons this week.
Kelly, who has discussed concerns regarding January 6 prosecutions with Trump and congressional Republicans, has also advocated for a blanket pardon, arguing that there has been a “blanket denial of the due process rights of January 6 protesters.”
Kelly indicated that Trump’s public silence might conceal extensive advocacy efforts behind the scenes, although she acknowledged “political sensitivities” surrounding the pardoning of those with assault convictions, despite her belief that many such pardons would be warranted.
Further complicating supporters' concerns has been Trump’s short-lived and unsuccessful attempt to appoint former Florida lawmaker Matt Gaetz as attorney general. Gaetz has been a vocal proponent of pardons for January 6 defendants, and his potential selection was seen as indicative of Trump’s intention to adopt a more aggressive stance. However, Gaetz withdrew his candidacy after skepticism arose from many Republicans regarding his confirmability due to prior scandals.
Bondi, Trump’s newly appointed pick for attorney general, has yet to publicly express her views on January 6 or the individuals involved in the Capitol attack.
Monk, who leads the J6 Pardon Project, has communicated her intention to establish dialogue with Bondi.
In the meantime, January 6 defendants and their supporters continue to hope and speculate about potential pardons.
“We are literally holding our breath over here, hoping that my husband is under this pardon,” shared Kari Hoffman, whose husband, Luke Hoffman, is incarcerated on what she describes as “bogus assault charges,” while calling Trump a “smart man.”
Couy Griffin, former head of Cowboys for Trump and one of the first January 6 defendants to face trial, emphasized that Trump bears responsibility for the large crowd that gathered in Washington that day.
“The only reason that myself and a million others like me were in DC on January 6th is because @realDonaldTrump called us there. As the sitting President Donald Trump specifically told us that China had stolen the election,” Griffin wrote.
“Now we sit on the edge of our seats in suspense as we pray to be relieved and rectified,” he added, labeling the riot as ”the greatest ENTRAPMENT in American history.”
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
Federal judges overseeing the January 6 cases are now left to speculate regarding Trump’s intentions, which has led them to permit nearly all cases to move forward, stating that Trump’s clemency plans are merely “speculative.” Meanwhile, federal prosecutors have initiated several new felony cases related to January 6 since Election Day and have consistently countered attempts by defendants to postpone proceedings in anticipation of Trump’s inauguration.
The Justice Department has charged over 1,500 individuals for their involvement in the Capitol riot. Throughout his campaign for the 2024 election, Trump frequently asserted that he would pardon many of those charged, but he made no specific commitments and did not clarify whether he would allow some prosecutions to continue, particularly those involving assaults on law enforcement.
Now that he is president-elect, his lack of communication has left some of his most ardent supporters feeling anxious, leading to speculation on X regarding Trump’s plans.
“[H]onestly people have suffered for 4 years and many are still in flux and terrified. A word of reassurance from the top would go a long way for people,” expressed Brandon Straka, a notable Trump supporter who spent three months in home detention after pleading guilty to January 6 misdemeanors. “The silence on the issue just exacerbates the victims’ anxiety. Hopefully some kind of messaging comes soon.”
Adding to the apprehension among January 6 defendants is a statement from Trump’s transition team that suggested a more narrow approach than the widespread pardons many of Trump’s supporters have called for.
"President Trump will make pardon decisions on a case-by-case basis,” stated incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The phrase “case-by-case” has sparked intense discussion among January 6 defendants and their supporters.
“It is just a phrase. ‘Case by case,’ It isn't a policy, or a strategy, or anything,” opined Suzzanne Monk, a longtime advocate for January 6 defendants. “It is a catch phrase the media is using to push the ‘only some will be pardoned’ narrative.”
In addition to the discussions surrounding Trump’s clemency plans, defendants have been considering whether his selection of Pam Bondi as attorney general will aid efforts to halt the ongoing criminal investigations into the Capitol attack, which interrupted the certification of Joe Biden's 2020 victory.
John Lauro, one of Trump’s personal lawyers, mentioned in a recent interview with an advocate for January 6 defendants that he has known Bondi for 35 years but has not yet discussed her views regarding the riot.
“I know she will take this issue very seriously,” Lauro said in his interview with Julie Kelly. “Knowing her like I do, she will ensure every person in the criminal justice system has been dealt with fairly and justly.”
Throughout the 2024 campaign, Trump at times indicated he would pardon nearly all January 6 defendants, including those who engaged in violent acts, but on other occasions, he suggested he might withhold pardons from those who “got out of control.”
A spokesperson for Trump did not address the concerns emerging from January 6 defendants and instead referenced Trump’s prior comments during the campaign. The spokesperson, Steven Cheung, has not responded to questions seeking clarification on the extent of potential pardons from Trump.
Reports indicate that Trump had contemplated granting a blanket pardon for those involved in the Capitol riot during the final weeks of his first term, but ultimately decided against it. Recently, a federal judge appointed by Trump criticized the idea that Trump might reconsider such a sweeping pardon in the future.
Conversely, two Trump allies in Congress, Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Andy Biggs, have renewed their calls for Trump to issue blanket pardons this week.
Kelly, who has discussed concerns regarding January 6 prosecutions with Trump and congressional Republicans, has also advocated for a blanket pardon, arguing that there has been a “blanket denial of the due process rights of January 6 protesters.”
Kelly indicated that Trump’s public silence might conceal extensive advocacy efforts behind the scenes, although she acknowledged “political sensitivities” surrounding the pardoning of those with assault convictions, despite her belief that many such pardons would be warranted.
Further complicating supporters' concerns has been Trump’s short-lived and unsuccessful attempt to appoint former Florida lawmaker Matt Gaetz as attorney general. Gaetz has been a vocal proponent of pardons for January 6 defendants, and his potential selection was seen as indicative of Trump’s intention to adopt a more aggressive stance. However, Gaetz withdrew his candidacy after skepticism arose from many Republicans regarding his confirmability due to prior scandals.
Bondi, Trump’s newly appointed pick for attorney general, has yet to publicly express her views on January 6 or the individuals involved in the Capitol attack.
Monk, who leads the J6 Pardon Project, has communicated her intention to establish dialogue with Bondi.
In the meantime, January 6 defendants and their supporters continue to hope and speculate about potential pardons.
“We are literally holding our breath over here, hoping that my husband is under this pardon,” shared Kari Hoffman, whose husband, Luke Hoffman, is incarcerated on what she describes as “bogus assault charges,” while calling Trump a “smart man.”
Couy Griffin, former head of Cowboys for Trump and one of the first January 6 defendants to face trial, emphasized that Trump bears responsibility for the large crowd that gathered in Washington that day.
“The only reason that myself and a million others like me were in DC on January 6th is because @realDonaldTrump called us there. As the sitting President Donald Trump specifically told us that China had stolen the election,” Griffin wrote.
“Now we sit on the edge of our seats in suspense as we pray to be relieved and rectified,” he added, labeling the riot as ”the greatest ENTRAPMENT in American history.”
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
