US President Donald Trump has pardoned approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the Capitol Hill riot, a symbolic act at the heart of American democracy. This decision was made shortly after he took the oath of office on Monday, January 20.
In addition to this, President Trump, after being sworn in for his second term, made several major announcements, including declaring a state of emergency at the Mexico border, reclaiming the Panama Canal, and increasing tariffs on foreign imports. He also revoked 78 executive orders from the Biden administration, as reported by British media outlet BBC on Monday.
The BBC report states that nearly 1,500 individuals, who were arrested for their involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol Hill riot, have been pardoned by the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump. His supporters had been waiting outside the DC jail for much of the day on his inauguration.
During his speech at the Capitol One Arena, Trump announced that he would pardon those accused of the January 6 incident as soon as he arrived at the Oval Office. The crowd reacted with cheers, and one woman shouted "Freedom!"
Trump labeled those arrested in connection with the Capitol Hill attack as "political prisoners" and pledged to pardon them. However, it remains unclear whether the pardons will extend to convicted individuals as well.
It is important to note that on January 6, 2021, supporters of Trump stormed the Capitol building in Washington, DC, while a joint session of Congress was set to formally declare Joe Biden as the next President. The rioters breached security barriers and entered the building, causing chaos in the Senate chamber. Many of the attackers were armed.