Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) blasts President Donald Trump for pardoning roughly 1500 insurrectionists who violently stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
“It’s completely disgusting,” the Democratic congressman told The Kicker.
Trump has described the rioters as "patriots" and "hostages," asserting that they were unjustly targeted by the Justice Department, which he claims also charged him with federal crimes in two politically motivated cases.
The president stated, that the pardons mark the end of "a grave national injustice perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years" and signals the beginning of "a process of national reconciliation."
Frost sharply criticized Trump and his party and highlighted the hypocrisy of MAGA’s actions on January 6, “This comes from the party that's about backing the blue and law and order. [These people] literally beat Capitol Police with flag poles, bear sprayed them, hurt them.”
“People died because of what happened on January 6, and you're going to pardon them all,” he added.
In the weeks before Trump’s return to the White House, he indicated he would evaluate the Jan. 6 defendants individually rather than issuing blanket pardons. Vice President JD Vance also stated just days earlier that those directly responsible for the violence during the Capitol riot "obviously" should not receive pardons.
Ultimately, fourteen individuals, including several convicted of seditious conspiracy, had their sentences commuted, while all others convicted of Jan. 6-related offenses were granted "full, complete, and unconditional" pardons.
The Gen Z congressman emphasized that these convicted felons “are complete bigots.”
“One guy was pictured wearing a shirt that said Camp Auschwitz. He's back on the streets now because of Donald Trump. So, people should know this [was a] dangerous [move],” said Frost.
“I wouldn't be surprised if one of these horrible, bigoted people came out and hurt somebody, but we hope and pray that they don't,” added the Democratic representative.
The pardons signify the conclusion of Trump’s prolonged attempt to alter the account of the Jan. 6 events, during which a furious crowd of his followers, some equipped with poles, clubs, and pepper spray, overpowered law enforcement, harmed over 100 officers, broke windows, and drove lawmakers and staff into concealment. Although pardons had been anticipated, the extent and swiftness of the clemency represented a striking reversal of the Justice Department’s mission to prosecute individuals involved in what many have described as one of the lowest moments in the nation’s history.
Thanks for reading The Kicker! Let me know your thoughts below about Trump’s executive order to release insurrectionists the violently stormed the U.S. Capitol.
For more news be sure to subscribe to The Kicker and follow Ashlee Banks on Twitter, TikTok and Instagram @ashleembanks.
Share this post