Summary of Comments on Pardons and January 6th

  • Opposition to Pardons for Violent Crimes:

    • "A violent coup attempt should not be rewarded with a pardon."

    • "They attacked our capital, law enforcement, and our democracy. That should never be excused or encouraged."

    • "They are insurrectionists. They killed and seriously injured police doing their jobs. They defecated in the People's House. All at Trump's behest."

    • "Anyone who assaults people or police should not have been pardoned."

    • "What is the point of having laws if the President can just override them? Allowing this undermines our police all over the country and they cannot safely do their jobs."

  • Support for Case-by-Case Review:

    • "If a felony crime has been proven, then no pardon. If a misdemeanor crime has been proven, then a fine or less than a year of confinement should be considered."

    • "Each case should have been reviewed by the new Justice Department to determine eligibility, and if there was definite proof of wrongdoing, then appropriate action needed to be taken."

    • "Our friend was standing on the steps. He did not enter or was involved in any violence, but he has been sentenced, which meant loss of job, house arrest, and thousands of dollars in attorney fees. I am hoping that people like him are pardoned, but not the gang leaders."

  • Criticism of Government and Selective Enforcement:

    • "This was a Pelosi trap."

    • "It was a setup."

    • "The media seems to have identified the group for their violence against the police and destruction of property but forgot the reason they were there. 'Insurrection'—stopping the election and overthrowing the government—was always the agenda for a large portion of those who were arrested."

    • "This did not fulfill the legal definition of an insurrection, and the other BLM and Antifa riots destroying billions in businesses and causing dozens of deaths were not jailed or even charged with a crime. Selective enforcement allows fascism."

    • "The Capitol buildings belong to all taxpaying Americans. It does not belong to the elected politicians."

  • Broader Concerns about Justice and Fairness:

    • "If Biden can pardon cop killers, child rapists, and his drug-addicted son with a load of crimes, why can’t Trump pardon who he wants, including January 6th participants? Prisons are full of Black and Latino people for the same crimes Hunter Biden did, but they didn’t get to go free."

    • "The real question is why did Biden pardon THOUSANDS of criminals? Some convicted of far worse crimes. But you want to whine about Trump."

    • "George Floyd riots—and I leave it there."

  • Emphasis on Public Safety:

    • "They were all misguided, violent criminals. They caused destruction and death to our Nation’s institutions and the police officers who protected the people within. It is an utter travesty that sends the wrong message to every generation in the country."

    • "They were insurrectionists who defied democracy and attacked our Capitol, and that should never be excused."

    • "Knowing Florida’s high fatalities around bicyclists and pedestrians, it’s critical to have proper training around bike safety for kids using them for school."

  • Defense of Non-Violent Participants:

    • "What happened on January 6th was a response to an election that has been deemed improper. Whenever you have a large group, you are going to have a few people that will violate the law. It would be like us banning Bike Week because of the problems that are very small in comparison to the number of people that are here."

    • "They have served their time while being detained all these years."

    • "The ones that caused damage of any kind should not have been pardoned. Attacked police, building destruction, etc."

  • Frustration with Political Bias:

    • "Under this administration, there will be no justice for anyone! The end of democracy!"

    • "I definitely do not approve of the pardons that Biden gave out. These pardons are far worse than the ones Trump gave out."

    • "Pardons for leaders and members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys just show that Donald Trump supports racist/white supremacy groups over law enforcement."