In a bold move, President-elect Donald Trump has declared his intention to pardon individuals arrested from the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots as soon as he takes office.

Trump's pledge, supported by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, focuses on those not convicted of violence, addressing the political and humanitarian concerns surrounding their detention, Washington Examiner reported.

The controversy began on January 6, 2021, when a mob stormed the Capitol during the certification of Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory. The riot followed a rally where then-President Trump disputed the 2020 election results. Authorities arrested and charged over 1,500 participants.

Trump has stated that he will primarily pardon individuals who committed non-violent acts, though he remains open to making exceptions. His promise fulfills a key campaign commitment, as he plans to act on it on his very first day back in the White House.

“I’m going to be acting very quickly. First day,” Trump stated, criticizing the conditions in which many of the detainees are held as “filthy” and “disgusting.”

Greene Champions the Cause of Jan. 6 Detainees

Aligned with Trump, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has been a vocal advocate for the release of those jailed in connection with the riots, describing them as victims of political persecution.

She argues that authorities have excessively punished individuals accused of violent actions, such as property damage and physical altercations with police. Greene describes these individuals as "political hostages" and urges their immediate release.

“That’s what I’m going to push for, even the January 6 defendants that are serving time in prison right now, whether they fought with police officers or pushing and shoving in the tunnel. Maybe they even did the damage, broke a window, and climbed into the Capitol. I think they’ve served enough time,” Greene said.

Disparities in Treatment Highlighted

Further fueling the debate, Greene has criticized authorities for treating January 6 defendants differently from participants in other recent protests, such as those organized by Antifa and BLM. She pointed out that authorities dropped over 95% of charges against the other groups, emphasizing a significant disparity in how they handled the cases.

“My view is every single one of them needs to be pardoned and released. And you know when I always say this, compare it to Antifa and BLM rioters and protesters. Over 95% of charges dropped, let these people out of prison, give them their lives back. It’s time. It’s been too much,” Greene emphasized.

She has also criticized the poor conditions at the Washington, D.C. jail where authorities are holding some rioters. Additionally, she has called for further investigations into these circumstances and the fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt by Capitol Police during the riots.

Trump and Greene’s Stance Resonates with Supporters

The stance of Trump and Greene has resonated strongly with their support base, who view the January 6 events and subsequent legal actions as biased against conservative elements. This perception has played a significant role in Trump’s campaign narrative and his promises of reform and justice for those he considers unfairly treated.

As Trump prepares to enter office, he promises to issue pardons that will set a significant precedent in his term, reflecting his administration's priorities and approach to handling contentious political issues and civil unrest.

“I am hoping it’s immediate. They’re being sentenced almost every week here; there’s more cases going on, more sentencing hearings. It is terrible. It just needs to end as soon as possible,” Greene concluded, underscoring a passionate plea for resolution and a return to normalcy for those affected.