1. January 6 Capitol Riot Participants:
On his first day back in office, President Trump issued pardons and commuted sentences for approximately 1,500 individuals connected to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. This clemency extended to prominent figures such as:
- Stewart Rhodes: Founder of the Oath Keepers.
- Enrique Tarrio: Leader of the Proud Boys.
Experts in counter-terrorism have expressed concerns that these actions might embolden future political violence. Legal scholars and Justice Department officials have criticized the pardons as unprecedented and potentially undermining the integrity of federal law enforcement and the justice system.
2. Ross Ulbricht:
On January 21, 2025, President Trump granted a full and unconditional pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the darknet marketplace Silk Road. Ulbricht had been serving a life sentence without parole since 2015 for charges including drug trafficking, money laundering, and computer hacking. This pardon fulfilled a campaign promise Trump made during his speech at the Libertarian National Convention.
3. Anti-Abortion Activists:
On January 23, 2025, President Trump pardoned 23 anti-abortion protesters convicted of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. Among those pardoned was Lauren Handy and nine co-defendants involved in the October 2020 blockade of a Washington, D.C., abortion clinic. Critics argue that these pardons signal the administration’s opposition to abortion access and may encourage further disruptive protests.
4. Brian Kelsey:
Former Tennessee state Senator Brian Kelsey, who had been serving a 21-month prison sentence for campaign finance violations related to his 2016 congressional bid, received a full and unconditional pardon from President Trump. Kelsey had pleaded guilty in 2022 to illegally funneling campaign funds but had unsuccessfully attempted to retract his plea. Critics contend that this pardon undermines accountability and the rule of law.
5. Attempts to Void Biden’s Pardons:
President Trump announced intentions to void certain pardons granted by former President Joe Biden, alleging they were executed using an autopen—a device that replicates signatures. Legal experts have clarified that autopen-signed pardons are valid under U.S. law, rendering Trump’s assertions legally unfounded.
These actions have sparked significant debate regarding the use of presidential pardon power and its implications for justice, accountability, and societal norms.
Sources:
- Wikipedia – First 100 Days of the Second Donald Trump Presidency
- AP News – Trump Pardons Anti-Abortion Activists
- AP News – Trump Pardons Former Tennessee Lawmaker Brian Kelsey
- Al Jazeera – Trump’s Attempt to Reverse Biden’s Pardons
- The Times UK – Trump Pardons January 6 Convicts
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