Washington (AP)One of Donald Trump’s first actions as the 47th president of the United States was to pardon those involved in the disturbance on January 6 at the Capitol.
Trump promised to release supporters who attempted to help him overcome his election setback four years ago, and the pardons honored that pledge.
As he signed the documents in the Oval Office, he declared, “These are the hostages.” Trump expressed his hope that many will be released soon.
Executive orders to strengthen border security, label drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, restrict birthright citizenship, and create a task force to reduce the size of the federal government were all over his desk. Trump’s second term got off to an aggressive start as he asserted that he was mandated to transform American institutions and undo Joe Biden’s legacy.
Trump said that his executive orders marked the beginning of the “revolution of common sense” and the “complete restoration of America.” Supporters who were promised rapid success may find their patience tested as other aims prove more challenging. Trump has discussed cutting costs in the wake of years of inflation, but his proposals to impose tariffs on international imports may have the opposite impact.
In order to protect his siblings and their spouses from potential prosecution, former President Joe Biden granted them preemptive pardons just minutes before he stepped down. He also granted pardons to former and present government officials earlier in the day who have been the focus of Trump’s ire. “These are extraordinary circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing,” Biden stated.
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