Republican Senator calls Trump’s Jan 6 pardons a ‘mistake’

Published January 26, 2025
US Senator Lindsey Graham listens as Russell Vought, US President Trump’s nominee to be director of the Office of Management and Budget, testifies before a Senate Budget Committee confirmation hearing in Washington on January 22. — Reuters
US Senator Lindsey Graham listens as Russell Vought, US President Trump’s nominee to be director of the Office of Management and Budget, testifies before a Senate Budget Committee confirmation hearing in Washington on January 22. — Reuters

Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime ally of Donald Trump, criticised on Sunday the president’s pardon of about 1,500 of his supporters who attacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, saying it could lead to more violence.

Graham said that while Trump had the legal authority to issue the pardons: “Pardoning the people who went into the Capitol and beat up a police officer violently, I think was a mistake. Because it seems to suggest that’s an OK thing to do.”

As a result, “I fear that you will get more violence,” Graham, who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’ programme.

Trump supporters serving prison sentences for taking part in the attack went free after Trump issued a grant of clemency on Monday, his first day in office.

Some of those freed included supporters who had assaulted police officers. The blanket pardon drew condemnation from police who battled the mob, their families and lawmakers, including some of the president’s fellow Republicans.

Graham also criticised Trump’s predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, for issuing last-minute pardons for five family members and said Americans may want to revisit presidential pardon power if such actions continue.

“But as to pardoning violent people who beat up cops, I think that’s a mistake,” he said.

A Florida man who was among those pardoned was arrested on Wednesday on federal gun charges, according to court documents. Daniel Charles Ball was charged with possessing a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon, according to an indictment filed in US District Court in central Florida.

Opinion

Editorial

Going dry
Updated 07 Apr, 2025

Going dry

Authorities should refrain from undertaking any water scheme that infringes on rights of any federating unit to avoid more controversies.
Afghan return
07 Apr, 2025

Afghan return

AS expected, the government of Pakistan is moving ahead with its plan to forcibly repatriate Afghan Citizenship Card...
Hurting women
07 Apr, 2025

Hurting women

MONTH after month, the figures of crimes against women in the country indicate that our society is close to...
Not cricket
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Not cricket

It is high time that the PCB sets things right; even if it demands a complete overhaul of the system.
Balochistan deadlock
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Balochistan deadlock

Akhtar Mengal’s demands to release women activists should seriously be considered.
Escalating brutality
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Escalating brutality

The world’s patience is running out. Israel must be held accountable under international law for war crimes.