"F--k it: Release 'em all": Why Trump embraced broad Jan. 6 pardons
t as Trump's team wrestled with the issue, and planned a shock-and-awe batch of executive orders Day 1, "Trump just said: 'F -k it: Release 'em all,'" an adviser familiar with the discussions said.Trump's decision was a surprise to some Republicans in Congress, who grimaced at the appearance of the new president condoning violence against police officers.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
President Trump's sweeping pardons for 1,500 Jan. 6 criminals and defendants were a last-minute, rip-the-bandage-off decision to try to move past the issue quickly, White House advisers familiar with the Trump team's discussions tell Axios.
Why it matters: Trump's move to "go big" on the pardons sheds light on his unpredictable decision-making process, and shows his determination to fulfill a campaign promise to his MAGA base — regardless of political fallout.
How it happened: Eight days before the inauguration, Vice President-to-be JD Vance — channeling what he believed to be Trump's thinking — said on "Fox News Sunday" that Jan. 6 convicts who assaulted police ought not get clemency: "If you committed violence that day, obviously you shouldn't be pardoned."
Trump vacillated during an internal debate over targeted clemency vs. a blanket decision according to two insiders.
But as Trump's team wrestled with the issue, and planned a shock-and-awe batch of executive orders Day 1, "Trump just said: 'F -k it: Release 'em all,'" an adviser familiar with the discussions said.
Catch up quick: Trump's decision was a surprise to some Republicans in Congress, who grimaced at the appearance of the new president condoning violence against police officers.
On Jan. 7, 2021, the day after his supporters rioted at the Capitol to protest the 2020 election, Trump decried those who "defiled" the building.
But as his own legal problems mounted during his campaign, Trump came to embrace the cause of those charged in the riot. On the campaign trail, he began playing a version of the National Anthem sung by jailed protestors who called themselves the "J6 Prison Choir."
After he was elected, Trump told "Meet the Press" on Dec. 8 that he'd pardon Jan. 6 convicts and defendants on Day 1: "I'm going to be acting very quickly."
He didn't rule out clemency for those accused or convicted of attacking police, but said: "We're going to look at individual cases."
Between the lines: Early in the internal discussions, Vance actually had advocated for a blanket pardon. But the Yale-trained lawyer figured Trump wouldn't want to take the hit for releasing notorious convicts.
The case-by-case review was onerous. Trump staffers wondered whom to pardon and who might slip through the cracks.
Time was running out heading into Inauguration Day. Trump wanted to pardon as many people as possible and get it over with, so he landed on clemency for everyone.
In the Trump team's view, "all the prosecutions are tainted," the adviser familiar with the discussions told Axios: "It's time to move on."
Vance was "100% on board," said one Trump insider, pointing to a Vance post on X in which he noted that in 2021, "I donated to the J6 political prisoner fund and got ROASTED for it during my Senate race."
Trump advisers say they aren't particularly worried about the political fallout from the pardons decision, despite bad poll numbers. They believe Jan. 6 was essentially litigated in the election Trump won, and that other issues matter more to voters.
The pardons episode provided a lesson for Vance and others in Trump's orbit: Categorical statements forecasting the mercurial president's actions are always a risk. It also happened to Vance during the campaign, when he said Trump would veto a national abortion ban.
"The president didn't change his mind," the Trump adviser said. "He just made up his mind and Vance got a little over his skis on Fox, but it's no big deal."
The bottom line: "Never get ahead of the boss," a Trump transition source said, "because you just never know."
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That is the new line, that Trump simply wanted to get past the issue of Jan 6th.
Really? Then why did HE bring up the 2020 election numerous times on his inauguration day? As always Trump wants it both ways. This time he stepped in it again.
He had no choice since murderers don’t go to jail in this country. Follow that logic.
Police union that endorsed Trump blasts Jan. 6 pardons
Gee, did they not know that when you endorse a criminal you get immediate criminal behavior?
Must have missed that day in cop school
Not sure why so many are surprised, this is EXACTLY what he said he was going to do DAY 1. He doesn't give a flying F for people, even the Boot Licking Ass Kissers he's surrounded himself with. Those cops protecting the Capital and defending democracy were in his way of stealing back the WH, so, again, F them.
If that wasn't offensive enough, he referring to them as hostages. Hostages?! REALLY?!?!?! What a slap in the faces to the three women released over the weekend and those still remaining as such.
Again, don't get mad - America VOTED for this.
Burn Bastards Burn.
Exactly what did he do to "try and steal back the White House"? Be specific
When you come up with whatever it is you will, don't forget to mention the democrats, including Hillary, Jeffries, etc that essentially did the same.
I think calling them political prisoners is far, far worse
What exactly is the gripe here? That trump took political timing into account when deciding to act? Because, if that’s the case, I appreciate the comedy from Biden apologists to start the day off.
What’s next, attacking trump for not talking to the press?
Those dumbasses picked up from where they left off 4 years ago.
One of the idiots from CNN had to be told to shut up and let Trump finish talking.
I guess since Acosta was moved to the graveyard shift to not cause another lawsuit against CNN, some other dumbass needs to step up, but that one already got smacked down.
"I will not pardon my son or anyone in my family".....Joe Biden
Oh, wait......that was predictable.
Despite the sensational headline, what was the real effect? He still has reservations over six convicts and the 'release' is for somewhere in the two-hundreds of the jailed. The 'surprise' was voted on in November.
He and Vance called them political prisoners. In his mind he's not pardoning criminals. He's pardoning those that stood on the ground and fomented a revolution around him