Senator Lindsey Graham Warns of Public Trust Erosion from Trump’s January 6th Pardon
US Senator Lindsey Graham, in a CNN interview on Sunday, criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon individuals convicted of violent offenses during the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Graham expressed concern that this action could have long-term consequences and send the wrong signal to the public.
On January 20, Trump signed an executive order granting clemency to around 1,500 individuals connected to the Capitol riot. Among those pardoned was Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers militia, who received the second-longest prison sentence (18 years) among all January 6 defendants.
Graham, a South Carolina Republican and longtime Trump ally, expressed disapproval of the blanket pardons. “I don’t like this… If this continues, there may be an effort to rein in the pardon power of the president as an institution,” he warned.
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump promised to pardon individuals charged in connection with the January 6 riot. However, his sweeping executive action has faced mixed reactions from the public and legal experts alike.
Supporters argue that the pardons correct what they view as political persecution, while critics claim they undermine the rule of law. Vice President J.D. Vance defended the pardons in a statement, acknowledging previous opposition but insisting that the decision addresses potential miscarriages of justice.
On January 6, Trump supporters breached security barriers in Washington, DC, attempting to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden’s presidential victory. While some protesters were peaceful, others engaged in violent acts and targeted police officers.