Crime & Law
UChicago Terrorism Expert Says Jan. 6 Pardons ‘Normalized Major Political Violence’
People on both sides of the political aisle are calling out President Donald Trump’s pardons for those charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
More than 1,500 people received a “full, complete, and unconditional” pardon from the president last week. The assault on the Capitol — which injured more than 140 police officers — has been one of several displays of political violence in recent years.
And critics say Trump’s actions could potentially send a dangerous message.
“This has also legitimated and normalized major political violence,” said Robert Pape, political science professor at the University of Chicago, terrorism expert and the founding director of the Chicago Project on Security and Threats, or CPOST.
“Nearly 200 of those granted clemency are militia group members who, by their very membership in violent groups, pose a danger, and many of those who were sentenced to long prison terms, not just because of their role in Jan. 6, but because they pose an ongoing threat to police, the government and to our country and many of the others.”
However, Trump has chosen to describe the events of the day and those involved differently. He referred to the convicted charged defendants as “hostages” and “victims” and called Jan. 6 “a day of peace and love” — despite video evidence showcasing several acts of violence against police officers.
More than 140 police officers were injured, which also led directly and indirectly to the deaths of four Trump supporters in the mob and five police officers.
Though Trump fulfilled his promise to those charged by granting clemency, members of his administration felt those who committed violence should not be granted pardons.
Earlier this month, Vice President J.D. Vance said people responsible for violence during the Capitol riots “obviously” should not be pardoned, but last week said he fully supports Trump’s decisions after their team carefully reviewed each individual case.
Enrique Tarrio, former Proud Boy leader, also agreed those who committed violence against a police officer should be charged but argues the issue lies with the “miscarry of justice” and how the “cases were performed in D.C.”
Far-right members and Trump supporters involved in the attack took to social media promising retribution for the injustice done to them. Tarrio appeared on Alex Jones’ podcast saying those responsible “need to feel the heat.”
Aside from the attack on the Capitol, there has been a surge in political violence and the acceptance of political violence, according to Pape.
“There is an underlying Santa Ana wind, so to speak, that is driving the wildfire of political violence in the United States,” Pape said, “and that is that we are transitioning from a White majority democracy to a White minority democracy, and we’re going through the key tipping point decades now.”
Pape said these structural reasons became an earnest concern 10 years ago — accounting for the rise of Trump and why immigration has been a “key galvanizing issue” for him.
Trump’s latest promises of mass deportation and challenges to birthright citizenship could become potential flash points of political violence, Pape said.
Though there has been an increase in political violence, research still shows that 80% of Americans disagree with political violence and are strongly against it.
“We need a national daily campaign to focus on stopping political violence, because political violence is the key wedge issue that 80% of our public and our citizens abhor,” Pape said.
The University of Chicago Project on Security and Threats is leading a campaign to avert political violence.
