Rep. John Garamendi Statement on Trump Pardoning January 6th Rioters
It’s shameful, immoral and dangerous that President Donald Trump, on his first day in office, pardoned the violent rioters who committed the most serious attack on democracy since the Civil War. By issuing a blanket pardon for the violent Capitol rioters who attacked the citadel of our democracy and viciously mauled hundreds of police officers leading to the death of six, desecrated America’s symbol of democracy, and planned this attempted coup, President Donald Trump shows his disrespect for police, our vital democratic institutions, the rule of law, and the lives lost on January 6th.
While Trump’s pardons are shocking, what’s disturbing is Republicans' silence and acceptance. For years, Republicans, including Vice President J.D. Vance, have drawn the line on Donald Trump issuing blanket pardons for the most violent rioters. Yesterday showed that they are too fearful of Donald Trump to uphold the rule of law. I invite my Republican colleagues to make their positions clear. Explain to the American people why they reversed their position and what steps are they taking to stop Donald Trump from excusing political violence and undermining the most cherished democratic foundations.
Congress must uphold and protect the values that have sustained our country for over two centuries. These next four years, the fight to preserve democracy will be the most important fight in our lifetimes. It is time for us to rise to meet the challenge.
Here are Republicans who were against pardoning violent Capitol rioters:
· Vice President J.D. Vance: “If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn’t be pardoned.”
· Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD): (R - SD): “We’re not looking backwards, we’re looking forward,” and “I think they were case-by-case.”
· Sen. Susan Collins (R - ME): “I don't know whether there were pardons given to individuals who assaulted police officers," she said, "or whether there were pardons given to people who damaged property, who rummaged through desks, who broke windows in the Capitol. I disagree with those pardons if they were given."
· Rep. Gus Billrakis (R - FL): “Again, I’d have to look at the scenario, but if they attacked the U.S. Capitol Police, it’s a big problem.”
· Rep. Dusty Johnson (R - SD): “People who attacked police officers, listen, I don’t think that is something we should ever condone.”
· Rep. Mike Lawler (R – N.Y.): “The reality is that if somebody engaged in violence at the Capitol on January 6th they should deal with the consequences of that.”
· Rep. Jim Jordan (R - Ohio): Per Associated Press, Jordan “draws a distinction” among the pardons. “For people who didn’t commit any violence, I think everyone supports that. I think that makes sense.”
· Sen. Bill Cassidy (R – La.): “He said he would pardon some of them. I don’t know what ‘some of them’ means.” “I’m suspecting he’s putting something in there for people whose actions were more egregious, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
· Sen. Josh Hawley (R - MO): “For those kind of folks who in their defense was, ‘I didn’t realize, I thought the Capitol was open. The Capitol’s a public building; we were not the first ones in,’” pardons or commutations would be appropriate, Hawley told USA TODAY. “I’m against it for people who assaulted cops, threw stuff at cops, broke down doors, broke windows.”
· Sen. Katie Britt (R - AL): “I agree with JD.”