Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis who entered the presidential race officially this week said that if elected he would pardon people involved in the attack on the U.S. Capitol, which occurred on Jan. 6, 2021 — including former President Donald Trump, his main rival for the GOP’s nomination.
DeSantis consistently polled behind Trump in national survey results and has tried to contrast him with Trump while avoiding to directly attack him. DeSantis stated that he would “aggressively” pardon parents who were arrested for their actions during school board meetings and Jan. 6 rioters. He also said he would “review” the cases of pro-life protesters and Jan. 6, 2016 rioters.
DeSantis claimed that the Justice Department, the FBI and other agencies had been “weaponized,” to punish “disfavored” groups of people in an unfair manner.
DeSantis said that if Trump were to be charged with federal crimes, “any example that shows a disfavorable treatment due to politics or weaponization will be included in this review, regardless of how small or large it is.”
A Trump campaign spokesperson did not respond to a specific request for comment about DeSantis remarks. Steven Cheung, a campaign spokesman, pointed instead to NBC News report that DeSantis officials had solicited contributions from Florida lobbyists – a breach of tradition which raises ethical and judicial questions – and called the Florida Governor “the 2024 equivalent of Crooked Hillary.”
DeSantis’ office did not respond to a request for a comment on the solicitations.
In 2021, Trump supporters attacked Capitol Hill in order to prevent the certification of Joe Biden as the next president. Five people were killed and 140 law enforcement officers injured during the siege. Over 1,000 people have been arrested and more than 480 of them sentenced. has not yet been charged with hundreds of other Jan. 6 rioters.
Trump has repeatedly praised rioters who have been convicted of violent crimes. Trump announced earlier this month that he would pardon ” a large portion ” of those convicted for federal crimes who were involved in the riot.
Trump told a CNN town hall at Saint Anselm College, New Hampshire: “I’m inclined to pardon many.” “I cannot say for everyone, because some of them probably got out of hand.”
A special counsel is examiningTrump’s actions in relation to the attack on Jan. 6, though no charges have yet been announced. A Manhattan grand jury indicted Trump on charges that he falsified business records regarding hush funds given to a woman with whom he had an alleged affair at the end of the 2016 campaign. The Manhattan district attorney claimed this violated state laws and exceeded federal campaign contribution limits. Trump has denied the affair repeatedly and pleaded guilty to the Manhattan District Attorney’s charges.
In a civil case, Trump was found guilty of sexual abuse and defamation. This is not subject to the presidential pardon — a constitutional power which only applies to federal crimes.
Some Republican candidates have made public pledges to pardon Trump should they be elected president. Vivek RAMASWAMY , Republican presidential candidate Vivek’s , promised to pardon Trump on the first day of his presidency if he were elected. Perry Johnson, a Republican presidential candidate, said the .
