Story perspectives

Trump Pardons 1,500 Capitol Rioters, Sparks Controversy

1/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned more than 1,500 individuals who gathered at U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2026, five years after the attack.
More than 600 pardoned individuals were convicted of assaulting law enforcement, and former prosecutor Brendan Ballou described the pardons as a “get-out-of-jail-free card,” with Andrew Johnson among those now facing new charges.
Jacob Lang, a pardoned rioter, expressed hopes that judges overseeing his case would be jailed.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned more than 1,500 individuals who gathered at U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2026, five years after the attack.
More than 600 pardoned individuals were convicted of assaulting law enforcement, and former prosecutor Brendan Ballou described the pardons as a “get-out-of-jail-free card,” with Andrew Johnson among those now facing new charges.
Jacob Lang, a pardoned rioter, expressed hopes that judges overseeing his case would be jailed.