Today’s Pardons: A Dangerous Green Light for Political Violence

?Today, the President issued pardons to nearly all individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6th Capitol attack. This isn’t just a legal action—it’s a loud and clear message: violence is permissible, so long as it serves the interests of those in power.

?Justice Abandoned in Favor of Loyalty

The presidential pardon power, designed to show mercy or correct injustices, has been twisted into a tool for rewarding political loyalty. By pardoning nearly every person involved in an attack on our democratic process, this administration has sent a chilling message: crimes committed in service of a political agenda are above the law.

This is not about healing the nation or rectifying wrongs. It’s about endorsing insurrection. When nearly all those who stormed the Capitol, assaulted police officers, and disrupted Congress walk free, justice becomes a farce. The rule of law no longer applies if your actions are aligned with the “right” political cause.

Political Violence is Now Permissible

Pardoning nearly all defendants tied to January 6th has obliterated a key deterrent for future acts of political violence. Why would anyone hesitate to attack democratic institutions when the consequences are erased by an administration eager to reward their loyalty?

?This isn’t just leniency—it’s permission. The message is stark: as long as you commit violence for the "right" leader, you’ll be pardoned. What happens when the next group of individuals decides to disrupt democratic processes, knowing they have nothing to lose if they’re on the side of power?

Democracy Under Attack

?The peaceful transfer of power is the cornerstone of American democracy. On January 6th, that principle was attacked. Today, the pardon of nearly all participants is a full-throated endorsement of that assault. This is not a step toward unity; it’s a step toward chaos. When violence and insurrection are rewarded, the foundation of democracy crumbles.

A Call for Accountability

?This is no longer about party or ideology—it’s about whether the rule of law still exists. The choice to pardon nearly every defendant involved in January 6th is a betrayal of the very principles that uphold our democracy. Political violence is not a partisan issue—it’s an existential threat.

?If we do not hold those who commit such acts accountable, what kind of nation are we becoming? Today’s decision to excuse nearly every individual involved in one of the darkest days in modern American history is not mercy—it’s an attack on justice itself.

This is a dangerous precedent that will reverberate far beyond this moment. If political violence can be excused, forgiven, or celebrated, what will stop it from becoming the norm?

The future of our democracy depends on whether we can confront and reject this dangerous precedent. Will we uphold the principles of accountability, or will we let this moment define a darker path for our nation?

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