President Donald Trump has described the attacks on police officers during the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol as "very minor incidents."
The president made the comments as he defended pardoning or commuting the prison sentences of more than 1,500 people convicted in connection with the attack in his first sit-down interview since returning to the White House.
Why It Matters
Trump's actions on Monday freed people who were convicted of violent attacks on police officers, as well as the leaders of far-right extremist groups convicted of orchestrating plots to prevent the peaceful transfer of power.
Several police officers died during and after the riots, while more than 100 were injured. One officer died of a stroke after sustaining injuries at the Capitol, while four officers died by suicide in the aftermath.
Trump's remarks to Fox News' Sean Hannity on Wednesday downplay the impact of the riot, and risk eroding trust between police officers and his administration.
What To Know
Trump told Fox News on Wednesday that the people granted pardons this week had been "treated so badly" while in prison.
"They were in there for three-and-a-half years, a long time, and in many solitary confinement, treated like nobody has ever been, treated so badly," he said. "They were treated like the worst criminals in history."
Trump repeated his claim that the 2020 election had been stolen from him, saying that people at the Capitol were "protesting the vote because they know the election was rigged and you should be allowed to protest a vote."
When Hannity interjected that the rioters should not have been able to invade the Capitol, Trump insisted that most people convicted were "absolutely innocent."
He added: "These people have served horribly, a long time. It would be very, very cumbersome to go and look, you know how many people we're talking about? 1,500 people. Almost all of them are, should not have been, this should not have happened.
"And the other thing is this, some of those people with the police, true, but they were very minor incidents, okay, you know they get built up by that couple of fake guys that are on CNN all the time. They were very minor incidents."
What People Are Saying
The family of Brian Sicknick, an officer who died the day after the attack, told CBS News: "There are no words that adequately describe the pain of losing Brian, and the suffering we have endured every day since, never to end. The pardons are intended to 'end a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated on the American people, and to begin the process of national reconciliation.' It is up to the American people to decide whether this purpose will be achieved, involving far more serious questions than how our family feels about the death of a son and brother, and the undoing of the justice that was previously determined by the Court's sentencing of Brian's assailants.
"It is our hope that the truth of what happened that tragic day will survive, irrespective of partisan political objectives. We are proud of our son's defense of American democracy, and the continued efforts of his fellow officers to safeguard the seat of government, and the Constitution which guides it; our hearts go out to them as they cope with all that has occurred, and we pray for their strength and fortitude to continue their important mission."
Winston Pingeon, a former police officer who defended the Capitol on January 6, 2021, told BBC's Newsnight program that the pardons are "a slap in the face."
"It's so utterly disrespectful to these officers who showed up on January 6, just like they have every day since, to make many personal sacrifices of themselves in service to Congress, in service to our nation and to American people, of trying to make this world a better place," he said.
The Fraternal Order of Police, which endorsed Trump, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police said they were "deeply discouraged" by the pardons.
"The IACP and FOP firmly believe that those convicted of such crimes should serve their full sentences. Crimes against law enforcement are not just attacks on individuals or public safety – they are attacks on society and undermine the rule of law," they said.
"Allowing those convicted of these crimes to be released early diminishes accountability and devalues the sacrifices made by courageous law enforcement officers and their families.
"When perpetrators of crimes, especially serious crimes, are not held fully accountable, it sends a dangerous message that the consequences for attacking law enforcement are not severe, potentially emboldening others to commit similar acts of violence."
Senator Thom Tillis told Reuters: "I saw an image today in my news clippings of the people who were crushing that police officer. None of them should get a pardon. You make this place less safe if you send the signal that police officers could potentially be assaulted and there is no consequence."
What's Next
Trump's sweeping pardons will likely continue to face scrutiny.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Wednesday that House Republicans will establish a new select subcommittee to investigate the attack on the Capitol and counter "false narratives."
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