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Jul 21, 2020 - Politics & Policy

Missouri governor vows to pardon white couple who pulled guns on protesters

Axios
Missouri Governor Mike Parson addresses the media on the last day of legislative session at the Missouri State Capitol Building on May 17, 2019

Gov. Mike Parson addresses the media at the Missouri State Capitol Building in Jefferson City in 2019. Photo: Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images

Gov. Mike Parson (R) told Fox News Monday "without a doubt" he would pardon Mark and Patricia McCloskey if they're convicted over pulling guns on anti-racism protesters outside their mansion.

The big picture: St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner said earlier Monday she'd charged the couple with felony unlawful use of a weapon over images of their actions, which went viral last month. Parson told Fox host Sean Hannity the charges were "unfortunate" and marked a "sad day" for Missouri.

What he's saying: Parson said he'd "do everything within the constitution" to protect them because they're " law-abiding citizens."

  • "They're being attacked, frankly, by a political process," he said, adding they had "every right" to protect their property.
  • "If you had a mob coming towards you, whether they tore down your gate or not, when they come on your property, they don't have a right to do that in an aggressive manner and people have a right to protect themselves, their family and their property."
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