Donald Trump, the former President, announced on Monday that if reelected in November, one of his top priorities would be to release those who were imprisoned for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, The Hill reports.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump outlined his plans as the next President, which include securing the border, increasing oil drilling activities, and freeing the individuals he referred to as “January 6 Hostages” who he believes are unfairly incarcerated.
The use of the term ‘hostages’ has triggered strong reactions, particularly in light of the recent hostage situation in Israel following a terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, which garnered global attention.
It is important to note that the rioters who are currently in prison were charged and convicted through legal processes, either by a jury trial or by pleading guilty.
According to the Justice Department, as of January 6, 2024, over 1,200 individuals have been charged in connection to the Capitol attack, with over 450 facing charges related to assaulting or impeding law enforcement officers.
Over 700 individuals have reportedly pleaded guilty to various federal offenses, as confirmed by the Justice Department.
Trump has consistently shown empathy towards those charged in connection to the events of January 6, when his supporters clashed with authorities and breached the Capitol in an attempt to disrupt the certification of President Biden’s electoral victory.
He has hinted at the possibility of pardoning some of the individuals involved in the attack and even spoke at a fundraiser for those facing charges related to January 6.
Trump himself is currently facing federal charges in Washington, D.C., for his actions in contesting the 2020 election results, as well as charges in Georgia for his efforts to overturn the state’s election outcome.
It is anticipated that Trump will secure the Republican nomination for the presidential race in the upcoming days, setting the stage for a rematch against President Biden in November.
