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• Donald Trump has pardoned over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack, including those who assaulted police officers.
• Republican lawmakers are divided in their reactions, with some justifying the pardons and others expressing strong disapproval.
• Public opinion remains largely opposed to the pardons, with a significant majority of Americans disapproving of the January 6 attack.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

The January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol saw a violent insurrection that resulted in significant damage and loss of life. Four years later, Donald Trump has issued sweeping pardons to many of those involved, sparking a mixed reaction from Republican lawmakers and widespread public disapproval.

Core Players

• Donald Trump – Former president, issuer of pardons
• John Thune – Senate Majority Leader, defended pardons by pointing to Biden’s actions
• Thom Tillis – Senator from North Carolina, strongly opposed to pardoning violent offenders
• Susan Collins – Senator from Maine, also opposed to pardoning violent offenders

Key Numbers

• 1,600+ – Number of January 6 insurrectionists pardoned or given sentence commutations by Trump
• 30% – Current percentage of Republicans who strongly disapprove of the January 6 attack, down from 51% in 2021
• 2,244 – Sample size of U.S. adults in the CBS News/YouGov survey
• ±2.4 points – Margin of error in the CBS News/YouGov survey

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

Donald Trump’s decision to pardon or commute the sentences of nearly 1,600 individuals involved in the January 6 attack has ignited a firestorm of reactions. This move comes as a surprise to many, given the violent nature of some of the crimes committed.

“We’re not looking backwards, we’re looking forward,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, deflecting criticism by pointing to President Joe Biden’s actions.

Inside Forces

Republican lawmakers are deeply divided on the issue. Some, like Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, have voiced strong opposition to the pardons, especially for those who committed violent crimes. Tillis is preparing to file bills that would increase penalties for assaulting police officers.

Others, such as Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, have shown support for the pardons, despite acknowledging that violent acts were “not acceptable.”

Power Dynamics

The pardons have highlighted the complex power dynamics within the Republican Party. While some senators like Susan Collins of Maine have clearly stated their disagreement with pardoning violent offenders, others have justified the move by comparing it to pardons issued by President Biden.

John Cornyn of Texas emphasized the president’s authority to issue pardons, avoiding direct comment on the controversial nature of the acts pardoned.

Outside Impact

The broader public has reacted with significant disapproval. A CBS News poll indicates that most Americans oppose the pardons, reflecting a continued bipartisan disapproval of the January 6 attack.

The Fraternal Order of Police, a major law enforcement union, has notably remained silent on the pardons, despite their previous condemnation of the violent acts against police officers during the insurrection.

Future Forces

The implications of these pardons are far-reaching. They may influence future political discourse and policy, particularly as the country approaches the 2024 elections. The pardons could also affect public trust in the justice system and in political leaders.

As the debate continues, it is clear that the January 6 attack and its aftermath will remain a contentious issue in American politics for some time.

Data Points

• January 6, 2021: The date of the U.S. Capitol attack
• 1,600+: Number of pardons or sentence commutations issued by Trump
• 51% to 30%: Drop in strong disapproval among Republicans of the January 6 attack since 2021
• December 18-20, 2024: Dates of the CBS News/YouGov survey
• 2,244: Sample size of the CBS News/YouGov survey