Pardoned Capitol Rioters: ‘I Went When He Called Me’
PARDON TRACKER REPORT: Documenting the Statements, Activities, and Networks of the Pardoned Capitol Rioters.
In the three months since President Donald Trump signed sweeping pardons for the individuals that participated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, several of the individuals that received pardons have made public statements, and the majority of these pardoned Capitol Rioters have proclaimed their loyalty to Trump, insisted that they have no regrets, and expressed beliefs in various conspiracy theories ― including that the 2020 election was stolen.
Among 150 pardoned Capitol Rioters, the majority have said that they continue to support President Trump, approximately 33% have stated that they “did nothing wrong” or have “no regrets” about their actions during the Capitol Riot, and approximately 33% have said they believe the 2020 presidential election was “stolen," according to an analysis by Radical Reports.
Additionally, pardoned Capitol Rioters have enjoyed a type of celebrity status within the far right movement, right-wing media, and the Republican Party. More than 50 pardoned Capitol Rioters attended the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), and more than 35 pardoned Capitol Rioters have been invited to speak or have attended events hosted by conservative groups or local Republican Party organizations.
An analysis of the public statements made by the pardoned Capitol Rioters reveals that two dominant narratives have emerged: 1) The supporters of Trump that attacked the Capitol were there for a righteous cause, and any violence that occurred was caused by federal agents, or Antifa, or other shadowy figures. 2) The supporters of Trump that attacked the Capitol have been persecuted for their political beliefs by federal law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges, and they are victims of an unjust and corrupt criminal justice system.
Additionally, there are two other narratives that have emerged, which reveal both the complexities of individual personal experiences, and violent undercurrents and extremist ideologies that have been emboldened: 1) The supporters of Trump that attacked the Capitol are often portrayed as a monolith; however, the criminal cases of each defendant often illustrate the specific circumstances and motivations for each defendant. 2) The supporters of Trump that attacked the Capitol have often expressed a desire for retribution, and they believe that the current administration needs to prosecute anyone that took part in the investigations and prosecutions of the individuals that planned or participated in the Capitol Riot.
very interesting