Donald Trump issues pardons for Capitol rioters

Washington: US President Donald Trump has issued pardons for participants in the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol, following through on his earlier pledge to absolve those involved in the attack led by his supporters who sought to overturn the 2020 election results.

Trump made the announcement at a rally after his inauguration ceremony, stating, "Tonight I'm going to be signing on the J6 hostages -- pardons to get them out."

He added, "As soon as I leave, I'm going to the Oval Office and will be signing pardons for a lot of people."

Nearly 1,600 individuals have faced charges in connection with the violent assault on Congress, carried out by Trump supporters attempting to disrupt the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s election victory.

During his election campaign, Trump repeatedly promised to pardon those involved in the Capitol attack, referring to them as "hostages," "patriots," and "political prisoners."

Trump, whose first term as president ended amidst the Capitol assault, has consistently downplayed the severity of the violence on January 6, even calling it a "day of love."

The riot resulted in more than 140 police officers being injured in violent clashes with rioters wielding flagpoles, baseball bats, hockey sticks, and other makeshift weapons, as well as Tasers and bear spray.

The attack followed a fiery speech by Trump, where he falsely claimed he had won the 2020 election and encouraged his supporters to march on Congress.

Trump had been charged by special counsel Jack Smith with conspiring to overturn the election results. However, the case was never brought to trial, as it was dropped due to the Justice Department's policy of not prosecuting a sitting president.

According to the latest figures from the US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, 1,583 people have been charged in connection with the Capitol siege, with 608 accused of assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers. (AFP)