Hoyer Statement on President Trump’s Executive Action for January 6 Insurrectionists

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today on President Donald Trump’s executive action, including pardons and commutations, related to rioters at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021: 

"In his inaugural remarks, President Trump promised to 'restore fair, equal, and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law.' He betrayed his own words almost immediately by pardoning roughly 1,500 people convicted of crimes related to the January 6 insurrection.

"These insurrectionists stormed the United States Capitol, brandished Confederate and Nazi symbols, called for the execution of top elected officials, violently attacked our U.S. Capitol Police officers – 140 of whom were injured, and two of whom tragically died – and traumatized Members, staff, and the press. They did so in an effort to overturn the results of a free and fair election. They committed crimes of varying severity that were thoroughly documented and prosecuted. Now, they will all go free – from the highest ringleaders who spent months planning the insurrection to the lowliest rioters who joined the fray that terrible day.

"Their pardon sets a dangerous precedent that those who break our laws, assault our democracy, and unleash violence on law enforcement will not face justice. If Donald Trump truly wants to uphold law and order, I urge him to reverse this action and make good on his promise that the 'scales of justice will be rebalanced' and 'our safety will be restored.'"