The events of January 6, 2021, left behind images of rioters storming the Capitol that shocked the world. While the breach itself was a pivotal moment, the aftermath will also have a lasting impact on the American psyche due to a series of legal and political maneuvers that have unjustly affected thousands of individuals. As the defendants await President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20 — hopeful for pardons — the current conversation revolves around who should be granted this relief.
On Sunday, President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, who had been convicted on gun charges and pled guilty to tax-related offenses. In the wake of this, former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, questioning whether Hunter Biden’s pardon would extend to the January 6 defendants he described as “hostages.”
Trump wrote:
Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!
Looking back at the prosecutions, the politically charged atmosphere surrounding them, and the legal challenges that have since emerged, one thing becomes obvious: All of the January 6 defendants deserve a pardon.
The cases of these individuals must be viewed in the proper context while acknowledging the political and legal bias, the unconstitutional charges, and the broader environment in which these people acted.
The Unfairness of the Legal Venue and Political Bias
From the moment the Capitol was breached, the political narrative around January 6 was set. The media and politicians were quick to label those involved as “insurrectionists,” “domestic terrorists,” and enemies of the state. This weaponized narrative permeated every aspect of the investigation and trial process, creating an environment where the defendants’ guilty verdict was assured before any evidence was even presented. January 6 prosecutions have resulted in a near 100 percent conviction rate; defendants are statistically more likely to end up dead than exonerated of their charges in court.