President-elect Donald Trump’s renewed promise to pardon supporters involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack is facing mounting criticism from a government ethics watchdog. The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) issued a sharp rebuke on Monday, denouncing Trump’s continued signals that he plans to grant clemency to those who participated in the riot. The attack disrupted Congress as it certified Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.
“Some things are fights worth having,” CREW posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Not allowing Donald Trump to pardon January 6th insurrectionists is one of those things. Two-thirds of the country is with us on this.” The statement underscores concerns among critics about Trump’s potential use of presidential pardons to absolve individuals who breached the Capitol.
The issue has taken on renewed urgency with Trump’s imminent return to the White House, where he has suggested pardoning some rioters could be a priority. According to media reports, Trump recently reiterated that he would “most likely” pardon at least some January 6 participants on his first day back in office.
CREW’s statement reflects widespread public concern, as a HuffPost analysis highlighted the potential consequences of such pardons. The report found that granting clemency to January 6 participants could result in hundreds of violent criminals being released back onto the streets.
Critics argue that such pardons would undermine accountability for one of the darkest days in American democracy and could embolden future acts of political violence. Trump’s allies have framed the rioters as political prisoners, while his opponents, including CREW, emphasize the severity of their actions and the harm caused to public institutions and safety.
The debate over January 6 pardons is likely to intensify as Trump prepares to take office, with opponents calling on lawmakers and advocacy groups to take steps to prevent these pardons.
As CREW’s statement suggests, the issue may galvanize a significant portion of the country that remains opposed to absolving those who participated in the Capitol attack. For Trump’s critics, the pardons represent a potential flashpoint in the ongoing struggle to uphold democratic norms and accountability.