President-elect Donald Trump has said he would “absolutely” consider pardoning every Capitol rioter and has called them political prisoners and “hostages.”

Summary

The Justice Department is accelerating efforts to arrest the most violent Jan. 6 rioters, particularly those who committed felonies against law enforcement, ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Trump has vowed to pardon some rioters, calling them “patriots” and “political prisoners.”

Prosecutors are instructed to expedite cases, emphasizing the need for justice for victims, primarily police officers who faced severe assaults.

Many prosecutors and victims, like retired Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, express dismay at the prospect of pardons, fearing it undermines accountability for the violence at the Capitol.

  • jeffw@lemmy.worldM
    1791·
    5 days ago

    Remember all those ads about Kamala Harris being soft on crime?

    Then remember how Trump won and pardoned a bunch of violent criminals?

  • normalexit@lemmy.world
    78·
    5 days ago

    Interesting taking the approach of “most important cases first” now. What were they doing, calling them in by last name?

        • winterayars@sh.itjust.works
          40·
          5 days ago

          This practice of appointing Republicans to critical positions to demonstrate bipartisanship has got to stop. (If the Dems ever get another chance, at least)

              • DancingBear
                11·
                4 days ago

                I am not excited about Trump winning but I’m also not so pessimistic as to think the government will be overthrown.

                If I remember correctly there was a long list of different generals and bureaucrats ready to resign if Trump went too unhinged rather than follow unconstitutional orders. He will also be surrounded by generals who I presume have small arms on their person at all times.

                Im fairly certain if for example he tried to use nuclear weapons without proper cause the secretary of defense or a general would punch him in the face rather than follow the order.

    • credo@lemmy.world
      14·
      5 days ago

      I’m guessing it was prioritized by the amount of evidence, and the chances of getting a conviction.

  • DarkGamer@fedia.io
    501·
    5 days ago

    It’s been four ducking years, should have been plenty of time to prosecute everyone, including Trump

    • zante@slrpnk.netEnglish
      25·
      5 days ago

      Right ? They’re writing like it was this January and they’re rushing to tidy up.

      • Flocklesscrow@lemm.eeEnglish
        151·
        5 days ago

        Which is also failure of Biden. The old man just could not keep up with the shifting of the tides; every play he’s got came from 30 years ago.

      • blazera@lemmy.worldEnglish
        13·
        5 days ago

        To be clear trumps was far worse. But its exactly that point that makes Bidens so bad. Trump shouldve been arrested day 1 for inciting an insurrection. Barr shouldve also been arrested, he was literally convicted of criminal contempt of congress and was supposed to be in jail the entire time. The assassination of Epstein and his ties to both Trump and Barr needed investigating. The Attorney General, the Justice Department, are the authority on enforcement of law, and there just was none for Bidens tenure.

    • TacticsConsort@yiffit.net
      18·
      5 days ago

      I understand the feeling of pessimism, but let’s not forget who Trump is.

      Unless pardoning them directly and immediately benefits him, he’s quite unlikely to give a shit

      • tigeruppercut@lemmy.zip
        13·
        5 days ago

        Plus they’ll still be on record as having been convicted of a crime. They may be legally exonerated after a pardon but their names will still show up in a search–probably make it more difficult to find a job.

    • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone
      4·
      5 days ago

      Yeah he is going to pardon all of them. I guess DC doesn’t have “state charges” that can’t be pardoned.