United States President-elect Donald Trump confirmed his plans to pardon supporters involved in the 6 January Capitol Hill attack during an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press" with Kristen Welker.
He said pardoning the insurrectionists would be a priority on his first day in office. However, he mentioned there might be exceptions for those who acted "radical" or "crazy".
The January 6 Capitol Hill attack occurred in 2021 when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The rioters breached security, leading to the evacuation and lockdown of the Capitol as lawmakers were in the process of certifying the Electoral College vote. The incident resulted in multiple deaths, injuries, and significant damage to the Capitol building.
These pardons could set a precedent for leniency towards individuals who participate in similar acts of political violence. They may also undermine the rule of law by signaling that such actions might not have serious consequences. The pardons could further polarise the nation, deepening divisions and eroding public trust in the justice system.
Trump described his supporters' prosecutions as inherently corrupt and suggested that many pleaded guilty because they had no choice.
In the same interview, Trump discussed several other topics, including his plans to reduce aid to Ukraine.
Trump said: "We’re in for $350 billion. And Europe is in for $100 billion. Why isn’t Europe in for the same as us?
"The one thing that should happen is that Europe should come in for - they should equalise. And, you know, Biden, all he had to do, like I did with NATO, I said, ‘You’ve got to pay your bills.'
"They weren’t paying their bills. And as you know, the secretary general said President Trump got $600 billion - no, 640 to be exact. And I used to use the $400 billion number. He corrected me. He said, ‘No, you actually got $641 billion put in’ because I said, ‘You have to pay your bills.’
“We were paying for NATO. And you know why I got the money? Because I asked for it. It wasn’t that complicated. Europe is in for a fraction. And war with Russia is more important for Europe than it is for us. It’s important for everybody, but it’s more important for Europe than it is for us. We have a little thing called an ocean in between us.”
Trump also plans to deport all undocumented immigrants, and consider leaving NATO.
He also mentioned his intention to extend the tax cuts passed during his first term. He also mentioned his intention to find a legislative solution to keep Dreamers in the country legally.
Trump declared that he would not restrict abortion pills and raise the age for government programs like Social Security and Medicare.
Trump's comments have sparked significant reactions, with some supporters expressing hope for broad-based clemency and critics raising concerns about the potential implications of such pardons.
The interview also highlighted Trump's broader policy agenda and his plans for immediate and sweeping changes once he takes office.