Trump Suggests Pardons for January 6 Rioters

Donald Trump expressed his intention to leverage Joe Biden's recent pardon of his son Hunter to advocate for pardons for January 6 defendants, linking the two events in a statement questioning if Hunter's pardon covers the 'J-6 hostages.' This connection was echoed by Fox News commentator Charlie Hurt, who urged Biden to commute the sentences of those involved in the Capitol riot. Trump has previously indicated a willingness to pardon many of the over 1,200 individuals charged in relation to January 6, suggesting that he would act early in his potential term. The Justice Department reported that 140 police officers were assaulted during the Capitol attack, which further complicates the discussion of pardons. While Trump criticized the justice system as politicized, he refrained from directly attacking Biden's decision. Biden's pardon for Hunter was described as a response to a 'selective' and 'unfair' prosecution.