Georgia Jan. 6 defendants await Trump pardons
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Dozens of Georgians convicted of storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 are waiting to hear whether President-elect Trump will pardon them after taking office next week.
Why it matters: More than 40 people with ties to Georgia have been charged in the insurrection that threatened to derail the certification of the 2020 presidential election.
- Roughly 140 law enforcement officers were injured in the riots, and five people died as a result, according to an NPR database.
By the numbers: More than 1,500 charges have been filed in the riot, per the database. The FBI estimates roughly 2,000 participated in criminal acts on that day.
Zoom in: In Georgia, charged participants include a former college football linebacker, a nurse who stormed the Capitol with her son and a former personal trainer who said he was high on amphetamines and drunk when he assaulted Capitol police.
The intrigue: Not all have expressed regret. Phillip "Bunky" Crawford, a Bremen, Ga., man who is facing years in prison for his role, told the AJC the public defender assigned to his case urged him to accept a plea deal on some charges.
- If given the opportunity, the outlet reported, Crawford said he would enter the Capitol again.
What they're saying: U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia) told Axios in a statement that pardons are part of "continued efforts to rewrite history on January 6" that "dishonor the police officers who died and were injured."
- U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Atlanta), who was sworn in to her first term three days before Jan. 6, was in the Capitol that day. She told Axios in a statement that she didn't know where the safe room was located.
- "A president pardoning people for violence they committed on his behalf sends a very dangerous message," Williams told Axios in a statement.
U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Lithonia) told Axios that the "thought that the man who escaped accountability for his own lawless actions now stands poised to issue mass pardons for hundreds, including those convicted of violence against police officers, is repugnant to notions of justice and fair play."
The other side: U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Cartersville) told Axios in a statement that pardons should be "taken on a case-by-case basis, prioritizing those who in any other case would have been accused of a minor offense, if at all, and those who were not violent or destructive in any way."
- U.S. Rep. Mike Collins (R-Monroe) told Axios that Trump should pardon "the vast majority of folks targeted and charged" who participated "with the exception of those few guilty of violent crimes."
Catch up quick: In December, Trump reaffirmed his vow to pardon the rioters, whom he views as "hostages," Axios' Avery Lotz reported.
- He has provided little detail on how he plans to handle the hundreds of people convicted since the riot.
Yes, but: On Fox News Sunday, Vice President-elect Vance said participants who committed violence "obviously" should not be granted clemency.
- However, Vance doesn't have pardon power.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a comment from Democratic U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson.