Washington, D.C. – Former President Donald Trump declared his intention to prioritize the release of individuals charged and convicted in connection with the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol if he wins the upcoming election. In a statement on his social media platform, Trump outlined his plans, including securing the freedom of what he referred to as “January 6 Hostages.”
This announcement marks a significant shift in Trump’s stance, as he now explicitly states freeing the January 6 defendants as one of his top priorities if elected. In response to Trump’s remarks, a spokesperson for President Joe Biden’s campaign criticized Trump, stating that the former president’s actions are driven by a desire to retain power, even at the expense of endorsing political violence.
Trump has consistently urged President Biden to release the January 6 defendants, hinting at the possibility of granting pardons if he assumes office. Furthermore, Trump regularly labels the defendants as “hostages,” a description that has been denounced as “grotesque” by the White House.
Since the January 6 riot in 2021, close to 500 individuals have been sentenced to prison, with over 950 convictions secured by prosecutors. More than 1,350 people have faced charges related to the attack, underscoring the scale and impact of the events that unfolded at the Capitol.
Last year, Trump vowed to pardon a significant number of January 6 defendants early in his term, leveraging his presidential authority to grant clemency. This statement coincided with revelations from a Republican-led House committee report that cast doubt on the testimony provided by former Trump aides involved in the events of January 6.
Facing indictment in August on charges related to his actions during the January 6 unrest, Trump maintained his plea of not guilty to allegations of conspiracy and obstruction of official proceedings. The legal proceedings against Trump underscore the ongoing repercussions of the Capitol attack and its aftermath.