Largest Police Organization in the U.S. Condemns Trump’s Pardon of 1,500 Jan. 6 Rioters
The largest police organizations in the United States, which endorsed Donald Trump in the last three elections, have issued strong criticism of the president’s decision to pardon 1,500 individuals involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. The controversial move has sparked outrage, particularly among law enforcement groups.
Law Enforcement Leaders Voice Concerns Over Pardons
In a joint statement on Tuesday, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) condemned the decision.
“Crimes against law enforcement are not just attacks on individuals or public safety — they are attacks on society and undermine the rule of law,” the statement read.
The organizations emphasized that pardoning these individuals undermines accountability and disrespects the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers and their families.
Trump’s Sweeping Pardons Include High-Profile Figures
On Monday night, Trump signed an executive order granting a “full, complete, and unconditional pardon” for 1,500 individuals charged or convicted in connection with the Capitol Hill riots of Jan. 6, 2021. While many charges stemmed from unlawful entry and disorderly conduct, others included multi-year sentences for assaulting police officers.
“They’ve already been in jail for a long time. These people have been destroyed,” Trump said from the Oval Office when questioned about whether any of the beneficiaries had attacked law enforcement officers.
The former president also commuted 14 prison sentences, including that of Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right Oath Keepers militia.
Impact on Law Enforcement and Public Perception
More than 140 officers from the U.S. Capitol Police and Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department were injured during the riots, as Trump supporters breached the Capitol in an attempt to block Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s presidential victory.
The Department of Justice reported that as of this month, 608 defendants have been charged with assaulting, resisting, or obstructing law enforcement officers during the civil unrest. Of those, 174 were charged with using deadly or dangerous weapons or causing serious bodily injury.
“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,” the FOP and IACP warned in their joint statement.
A Polarizing Decision in Trump’s Second Term
The Fraternal Order of Police, representing over 377,000 sworn officers, endorsed Trump during his 2016, 2020, and 2024 campaigns. However, the recent pardons appear to have strained this longstanding relationship, with law enforcement leaders signaling their disapproval.
The controversial decision fulfills a campaign promise made by Trump, but it has already negatively impacted his approval ratings just days into his second term.
Tragic Consequences of the Capitol Riots
One of the most notable tragedies from Jan. 6 was the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick. The 42-year-old officer suffered multiple strokes a day after defending the Capitol from rioters and later died in the hospital. Although his death was ruled as natural causes, medical examiners stated that the violent events of the previous day contributed to his condition.
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