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On his first full day in office, President Donald Trump defended his controversial decision to pardon individuals convicted of assaulting police officers during the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. The sweeping clemency order, which included former leaders of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, has reignited debates surrounding Trump’s use of executive power.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump dismissed criticism of his decision, describing the sentences as “ridiculous and excessive.”
“These are people who actually love our country, so we thought a pardon would be appropriate,” Trump said. He justified his actions as necessary to correct what he claimed were political prosecutions.
The pardons, signed within hours of Trump’s inauguration, effectively released over 1,500 individuals who had been convicted or were awaiting trial for their roles in the Capitol insurrection. Among them were high-profile figures such as Enrique Tarrio, former leader of the Proud Boys, and Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, both of whom had been convicted of seditious conspiracy.
A Role in Politics for the Proud Boys?
When asked about the Proud Boys and their potential place in U.S. politics, Trump offered a cryptic response: “Well, we have to see. They’ve been given a pardon. I thought their sentences were ridiculous and excessive.”
The statement immediately drew criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, called Trump’s remarks “deeply troubling” and warned against normalizing extremist groups.
Meanwhile, civil rights organizations condemned the pardons as a dangerous precedent. “This sends a clear message that political violence will be tolerated if it serves the president’s agenda,” said Maya Wiley, president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
Mass Firings and a “Clean Slate”
Trump also began his presidency by firing over 1,000 presidential appointees, many of whom he described as being “not aligned with our vision.”
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “YOU’RE FIRED!”—echoing his famous catchphrase from his reality TV days.
Those dismissed included high-profile figures such as chef and humanitarian José Andrés, who had served on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, and retired Gen. Mark Milley, who had been part of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council.
Observers noted that the mass firings were a clear signal of Trump’s intent to reshape the federal government in his image.
Mixed Reactions to Trump’s Return
Trump’s dramatic return to the presidency has drawn sharp reactions across the political spectrum. Supporters hailed the pardons as a correction of perceived injustices, while critics accused Trump of undermining the rule of law.
In a statement, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said, “President Trump’s actions on his first day back in office reveal a troubling disregard for the principles of democracy and justice. Pardoning violent insurrectionists is an affront to the rule of law.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s allies celebrated the president’s assertive start. “This is the Trump we elected—bold, decisive, and unafraid to stand up for what he believes in,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.
