David Dempsey, a man convicted of stomping on police officers' heads during the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol building, was among those pardoned by President Donald Trump on Monday.
Why It Matters
Trump issued sweeping pardons for those convicted of crimes during the Jan. 6 riot, when a group of his supporters violently protested the 2020 presidential election results. The pardons were among his first official acts upon returning to the White House on Monday and fulfilled a key campaign promise.
But he is facing scrutiny over some of these pardons, particularly pertaining those who have been convicted of violent crimes during the riot, such as Dempsey. Five police officers died in the weeks after the riot. One died of a stroke following injuries sustained at the scene, while four others died by suicide.
What To Know
Prosectors described Dempsey as "political violence personified," and he was eventually sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the riot.
In an August 2024 sentencing memorandum, prosecutors wrote that he was one of the most violent protesters.
"Unlike other rioters who slowly pushed their way through the crowd towards the Capitol, Dempsey climbed atop his fellow rioters, using them like human scaffolding, thrusting himself to the front," they wrote.
They continued that he "began a prolonged attack, fighting with his hands, feet, flag poles, crutches, pepper spray, broken pieces of furniture, and anything else he could get his hands on, as weapons against the police" and "attacked a fellow rioter who was trying to disarm him."
Dempsey allegedly "unleashed a torrent of pepper spray directly at Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Detective Phuson Nguyen," burning his lungs, throat, eyes and face, according to court documents.
Prosecutors also wrote that he "struck MPD Sergeant Mastony's head with such ferocity using a metal crutch that it cracked the protective shield of his gas mask, causing Sergeant Mastony to collapse in a daze, his ears ringing."
"Though Dempsey has pled guilty only for his assaults on Detective Nguyen and Sergeant Mastony, his violent assault on other officers defending the Capitol was relentless: swinging polelike weapons more than 20 times, spraying chemical agents at least three times, hurling objects at officers at least ten times, stomping on the heads of police officers as he perched above them five times, attempting to steal a riot shield and baton, and incessantly hurling threats and insults at police while rallying other rioters to join his onslaught," the document reads.
Newsweek reached out to the White House and a defense lawyer who represented Dempsey via email on Tuesday for comment.
What People Are Saying
Representative Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat who outlined some of the violent offenders pardoned by Trump, including Dempsey, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "These are some of the violent criminals and felons who assaulted police officers and attacked our democracy on January 6th. President Trump claims to be a president of law and order, but then lets cop beaters and killers walk free. It's disgusting and wrong."
Senator Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, said in a statement to Newsweek: "I do not support pardons given to people who engaged in violence on January 6, including assaulting police officers, or breaking windows to get into the Capitol, for example."
Family of Brian Sicknick, an officer who died following Jan. 6, said in a statement to CBS News: "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."
What Happens Next
Many of those pardoned by Trump have already been released. Meanwhile, Trump is expected to continue pushing his conservative agenda throughout the first days in office.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "988" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
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