With the extent of the decree, the president is going further than even some Republicans would have liked. The sentence commutations affect members of the right-wing extremist militias “Proud Boys” and “Oath Keepers” who were convicted of the most serious crimes. They don't go as far as a full pardon, but they pave the way for them to be released from prison soon. This applies, for example, to the former leader of the “Proud Boys”, Enrique Tarrio, who was found guilty of “seditious conspiracy” and sentenced to 22 years in prison for his central role in the attack on the Capitol. Trump also ordered the Justice Department to drop the approximately 300 pending cases related to the storming of the Capitol.
After Trump supporters rioted in Congress for hours on January 6, 2021, the Republican was initially considered politically dead. The world was shocked by this serious attack on American democracy. But Trump has, over the years, shaped a narrative of “peaceful protesters” who Detainees are repeatedly referred to as “hostages”, and already during the election campaign a pardon was announced for those involved. Regular vigils were held in front of the Washington prison where the January 6 detainees are being held.
