Several high-profile figures charged for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, could be in line for pardons if President-elect Trump follows through on his promise to offer pardons “in the first hour” of his second term.
Trump, who was recently named Time magazine’s “Person of the Year,” told the outlet that he would offer clemency to most of the rioters who stormed the Capitol.
“It’s going to start in the first hour,” he said. “Maybe the first nine minutes.”
Scores of rioters have said they expect immediate relief once Trump returns to the White House, and their lawyers have asked judges to delay sentencing trials and other proceedings in light of this. Judges, however, have largely denied these requests.
Philip Sean Grillo, who was sentenced Friday to 12 months in prison for his role in the riot, said “Trump’s gonna pardon me anyways,” as U.S. Marshals took him into custody. Grillo was found guilty of the felony charge of obstruction of an official proceeding, as well as some misdemeanors.
Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, a former leader of the “Proud Boys,” is another person who could be pardoned. He’s serving a 22-year sentence for orchestrating the events of Jan. 6. Jacob Chansley, who became known as the “QAnon Shaman” because of a 6-foot spear and horned fur headdress he wore during the attack, may be pardoned as well.
Over 1,500 people have been charged in connection with the Capitol Riot. Of those, 1,200 pleaded guilty or have been convicted, with sentences ranging from probation to Tarrio’s 22 years.
The Justice Department (DOJ) warned Jan.6 defendants that accepting a pardon from Trump is quote “a confession of guilt.”
DOJ’s inspector general issued an 88-page report on Thursday that found the FBI failed to gather crucial intelligence. The report says the FBI missed a “basic step” by not reaching out to all of its field offices and undercover informants ahead of time.
No federal agents were involved in supporting the attack, and no undercover agents were present, according to the report. There were, however, 26 confidential FBI informants at the riot, including three specifically tasked with keeping an eye on domestic terrorism suspects.
NewsNation’s Steph Whiteside and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
