Congresswoman Norma Torres Condemns President Trump’s Pardons of January 6th Insurrectionists
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) ranking member of the Subcommittee on Oversight on the House Committee on Administration, released the following statement in response to President Donald J. Trump’s decision to issue pardons and commutations for over 1,500 individuals, including those involved in the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Among those pardoned were individuals convicted of seditious conspiracy and others who assaulted law enforcement officers, congressional staff, and members of Congress:
“Today is a dark day for our democracy. President Trump’s decision to pardon the very individuals who sought to undermine our nation’s foundational principles is an insult to the rule of law and the American people.
The January 6th attack was not a protest — it was a violent insurrection aimed at overturning the will of the voters and threatening the peaceful transfer of power. I will never forget the fear and chaos that filled the halls of the Capitol that day. I remember the sound of the mob banging on doors, the bravery of law enforcement officers who risked their lives to protect us, and the sense of betrayal as our sacred democratic institutions were desecrated.
The individuals who orchestrated and carried out these heinous acts do not deserve leniency. They deserve accountability. By pardoning these criminals, President Trump has sent a chilling message that violence and lawlessness will be tolerated when it serves his personal and political interests.
This decision disregards the trauma endured by capitol police officers, congressional staff and members who worked tirelessly to uphold the integrity of our democracy. Five Capitol Police officers lost their lives as a result of the January 6th, 2021 violence, with over 150 officers sustaining injuries while defending the Capitol.These pardons diminish the sacrifices of those who stood in defense of our country that day.
We must not let this moment define us. The American people deserve leaders who will uphold the Constitution and protect our democracy from those who seek to destroy it. I call on my colleagues, regardless of party affiliation, to condemn this reckless abuse of power and to recommit ourselves to the principles of justice and accountability.
As someone who lived through that harrowing experience, I am committed to ensuring that those responsible for the attack on our democracy face the full consequences of their actions. We owe it to the brave law enforcement officers, the American people, and future generations to defend the values that make our country strong.”
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