Top Democrats have criticized President Trump’s executive order pardoning most individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, affecting around 1,600 people. Senate Majority Leader Adam Schiff called it a “grotesque abuse of power,” noting that some pardoned had assaulted law enforcement officers. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described the move as “a betrayal” of the Capitol’s defenders and warned it undermines public trust. Trump’s supporters argue the pardons address politically motivated prosecutions, claiming many were unfairly targeted. However, legal experts are concerned about the impact on future accountability for political violence and the precedent set for presidential clemency. The decision has ignited intense debates about executive power, the legacy of January 6, and its influence on Trump’s presidency and the broader political landscape.
