Senate GOP Talks Jan 6th Pardons
New Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) made it clear that President-elect Donald Trump holds the ultimate authority when it comes to pardoning individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot. Thune’s comments came during an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, where host Kristen Welker asked for his opinion on Trump’s vow to grant clemency to those involved in the unrest.
“It’s a decision that President Trump will have to make,” Thune stated, referring to Trump’s promise to pardon January 6 defendants upon returning to the White House. Thune added that while the matter was significant, it was up to Trump to determine the course of action regarding clemency.
Former President Trump has long maintained that the rioters were unfairly labeled as criminals, calling them “political prisoners.” In an interview with Time magazine last month, Trump reiterated his commitment to pardoning those involved, with plans to start issuing clemency within his first few moments back in office. This announcement has sparked widespread attention, especially as 2023 marks the fourth anniversary of the Capitol riot.
Thune was quick to point out the contrast between Trump’s approach and President Joe Biden’s recent use of the pardon power. Biden’s controversial pardoning of his son, Hunter Biden, along with his broader clemency actions—including commuting the sentences of over 1,500 individuals—was noted by Thune as an example of the expansive authority granted to the president.
“As we’ve seen under the Biden administration, the pardon power is broad and widely used,” Thune remarked. However, he emphasized that his focus is not on revisiting the events of January 6 but on shaping the future and advancing conservative priorities for the country.
Thune’s perspective highlights a key Republican stance: that the future of America is more important than revisiting the past. The Republican Party, led by figures like Thune, remains committed to holding the Biden administration accountable while preparing for a more promising future under a potential second Trump term.
