President Donald Trump’s pardons of individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot have drawn strong criticism from legal experts and former prosecutors. Brendan Ballou, a former DOJ prosecutor, warned that these pardons could empower vigilantes and militias loyal to Trump, potentially encouraging political violence and undermining the rule of law.
Michael Sherwin, the former acting U.S. attorney who oversaw early investigations into the Capitol attack, called the pardons “disturbing,” noting that they disregard the harm done to law enforcement during the riot.
Critics argue that these actions signal approval of the rioters’ behavior and could embolden similar acts in the future, posing risks to the justice system and public safety.