(NewsNation) — Several high-profile figures in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots could be in line for pardons if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on his promise to TIME magazine.
Trump, who was named TIME’s “Person of the Year”, told the outlet that he would pardon most of the rioters convicted of storming the Capitol.
“It’s going to start in the first hour,” he said. “Maybe the first nine minutes.”
Scores of rioters have said they expect immediate relief once Trump returns to the White House, and their lawyers have asked judges to delay sentencing trials and other proceedings in light of this, NewsNation partner The Hill reports. The Hill notes that judges have largely denied these requests.
Philip Sean Grillo, who was sentenced Friday to 12 months in prison for his role in the riot, said “Trump’s gonna pardon me anyways” as U.S. Marshals took him into custody. Grillo, The Hill wrote, was found guilty of the felony charge of obstruction of an official proceeding, as well as some misdemeanors.
Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, a former leader of the neo-fascist group “Proud Boys,” is another person who could be pardoned. He’s serving a 22-year sentence for orchestrating the events of Jan.6. Jacob Chansley, who became known as the “QAnon Shaman” because of a 6-foot spear and horned fur headdress he wore during the attack, may be pardoned as well.
Over 1,500 people have been charged in connection with the Capitol Riot. Of those, 1,200 pleaded guilty or have been convicted, with sentences ranging from probation to Tarrio’s 22 years.
The Justice Department warned Jan.6 defendants that accepting a pardon from Trump is quote “a confession of guilt.”
DOJ Inspector General report on Capitol Riot
The Department of Justice’s Inspector general found that the FBI failed to gather crucial intelligence in an 88-page report released Thursday.
In the report, the inspector general says the FBI missed a “basic step” by not reaching out to all of its field offices and undercover informants ahead of time. No federal agents were involved in supporting the attack, and no undercover agents were present, the report said. There were, however, 26 confidential FBI informants at the riot, including three specifically tasked with keeping an eye on domestic terrorism suspects.
NewsNation digital producer Steph Whiteside and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
