Republican Senators Push Back Against Trump Jan. 6 Pardon Promise
Republican senators are showing resistance to backing former President Donald Trump’s promise to the Jan. 6 protesters, insisting that pardons are for those who have proven to have rehabilitated themselves. Trump…

Republican senators are showing resistance to backing former President Donald Trump’s promise to the Jan. 6 protesters, insisting that pardons are for those who have proven to have rehabilitated themselves.
Trump promised earlier this year that if he were reelected he would pardon defendants who are being charged with taking part in the Capitol Hill riots on Jan. 6, 2021, according to MSNBC.
According to some Republicans, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), pardoning protesters is a “bad idea.” The senator, who has been a longtime ally of the president, told The Hill, “Pardons are given to people who admit misconduct, rehabilitate themselves. They’re not supposed to be used for other purposes.”
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) also stood against the idea saying, “I don’t think potential candidates should hold pardons out as a promise. It’s somewhat problematic for me on a moral level and an ethical level — sort of like promising other giveaways to particular individuals. I prefer avoiding those kinds of things.
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) weighed in, signaling his disagreement with the would-be pardons: “If he were elected, he would have a constitutional ability to do it. I would disagree with it. I think there was insurrection and I think these folks need to be punished.”
The lawmaker went on to say, “I was there. This was truly violent. People were injured, people were killed. I have very little mercy for the individuals that were involved in that activity that day,” Rounds added.


