WASHINGTON — Following his inauguration, President Donald Trump issued an executive order pardoning and commuting the sentences of nearly 1600 people charged for their involvement in the January 6 insurrection. Damon Hewitt, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, issued the following statement:
“President Donald Trump’s executive order granting clemency to over a thousand individuals who sought to overrule the votes of millions of Americans is profoundly concerning. It cannot be emphasized enough how dangerous this sweeping decision to uphold and encourage deliberate, treasonous acts is to the sanctity of our democracy.”
“The events of January 6 must never be forgotten. We owe justice to the U.S. Capitol police officers who put their lives on the line to quell a riot fueled by misinformation peddled by Trump and his allies. In 2021, the Lawyers’ Committee filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Donald Trump, his 2020 campaign, the Proud Boys, and other individuals on behalf of officers who defended the Capitol during the insurrection, which sought to silence the voices of Black, Brown, and other voters. Our civil rights lawsuit remains one of the only cases seeking accountability for those responsible. Even in the face of Trump’s pardons and commutations, we will continue to do our part to seek justice and accountability for the terrible events of that day.”
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