Just before leaving office, President Donald Trump made headlines by issuing pardons to several individuals involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. While initial reports suggested clemency would be limited to nonviolent offenders, the final list included those convicted of serious acts of violence, raising eyebrows across the political spectrum.

Among those pardoned were individuals who assaulted police officers with weapons like baseball bats, chemical sprays, and even stun guns. Some had been involved in planning the attack aimed at disrupting the peaceful transfer of power. Judges had previously sentenced these offenders to lengthy prison terms, some spanning decades, highlighting the severity of their actions.

Trump’s decision to grant clemency reflects his belief that his supporters were unfairly targeted. Critics argue that these pardons undermine accountability for the events of Jan. 6, a day that shook the nation. “To have done anything less would have been an admission that there was something wrong with what his supporters did,” noted experts analyzing the situation.

Key figures included in the pardons range from militia leaders to rioters who directly attacked law enforcement. For instance, Stewart Rhodes, founder of the far-right Oath Keepers, was convicted of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 18 years for his role in orchestrating the violence. Similarly, Enrique Tarrio, former leader of the Proud Boys, received a 22-year sentence for his involvement in planning the attack, despite not being present during the riot.

The move has sparked debates about justice and the implications of such pardons. While Trump’s supporters view it as a necessary defense of their cause, others see it as a troubling endorsement of the violence that unfolded on that fateful day.