Statement on the Pardoning of the January 6th Rioters
The pardoning of individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot has sent a dangerous message that undermines the principles of justice, accountability, and the rule of law. These rioters engaged in violent and abusive behaviors that attack the heart of American democracy, breaching the Capitol to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power. The pardons of those who committed these actions directed at law enforcement, which produced significant injuries and trauma leading to suicides, sends a powerful negative message about our support of police. By pardoning them, the President normalizes political violence and signals that there are no serious consequences for undermining democratic institutions and attacks on law enforcement.
Allowing those responsible for such actions to go unpunished not only fails to hold them accountable for their crimes, but also encourages future acts of violent and abusive behaviors, where individuals will feel emboldened to use force to achieve political or personal goals. A pardon effectively condones the idea that disrupting the democratic process through violence is acceptable under certain circumstances—an idea that is antithetical to the very foundations of our republic.
Our democracy relies on the principle that those who break the law, regardless of their political affiliation or position, should be held accountable. Pardoning the January 6th rioters erodes trust in the justice system and weakens the moral authority of our institutions. It is crucial that we stand firm in our commitment to upholding the rule of law and send a clear message that violent and abusive behaviors will never be a legitimate means of political expression or for personal gain. We can only prevent future assaults on democracy through accountability.
If you are concerned about this action, call your Senators and Representative. Write an op-ed in your local media about the dangers of not holding people who commit violence accountable. Create your own local cross coalition with other social justice groups to address issues that may continue to emerge with policy changes.
Look to resources such as Indivisible for guidelines on how to organize and pull resources together for local efforts.
https://indivisible.org/campaign/new-group-orientation
Join the cause. Contact us at contactingthecircle@gmail.com.
The Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT) is sharing this statement on behalf of The Circle.
The Circle - Community for Inclusion, Resilience, Change, and Lasting Equity
A Coalition of Child and Family-Serving Agencies and Individuals Committed to Ending Interpersonal Violence, Abuse Across the Lifespan
We are a network of organizations and individuals who work with children, families, and communities to promote safety and reduce trauma, abuse and neglect across the lifespan. We seek to coordinate a response to Project 2025 as it relates to our particular focus on family and community welfare issues.