Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi today strongly condemned former President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol insurrection, calling the move a "shameful" and "dangerous" undermining of the American justice system.
In a statement released earlier today, Pelosi emphasized the severity of the actions taken by these rioters, who sought to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and disrupt the democratic process. She called the pardons an insult to the many law enforcement officers and first responders who put their lives on the line that day to protect the Capitol, as well as to the countless individuals who worked tirelessly to hold those responsible accountable.
“Donald Trump’s decision to pardon these individuals is not just an affront to the justice system—it is a direct assault on the values that define our democracy. Those who participated in the violent attack on the Capitol must be held accountable for their actions, and today’s move only serves to embolden those who would seek to undermine the rule of law,” Pelosi said.
The former Speaker also stressed the broader implications of the pardons, calling them part of a larger effort by Trump to rewrite history and avoid accountability for his own role in inciting the insurrection. Pelosi warned that this latest move was indicative of a continued disregard for democratic norms and the principle of equal justice under the law.
“The American people deserve a justice system that is impartial, fair, and committed to upholding the rule of law. This pardon is a shameful attempt to rewrite the truth of what happened on January 6th and send the dangerous message that there are no consequences for those who threaten our democracy,” Pelosi continued. “We must continue to fight for justice, accountability, and the preservation of our democratic institutions.”