Hundreds of rioters accused of violently assaulting police at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, were pardoned Monday by President Trump, despite remarks from his allies in recent weeks condemning those defendants.

More than 600 people who invaded the Capitol that day as lawmakers sought to certify the results of the 2020 election were charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement — and nearly 200 of them did so using a deadly or dangerous weapon.

The crowds forced the evacuation of lawmakers who were set to certify the results of the election, and while they later returned to the Capitol that day to complete their work, more than 140 officers had been injured and some later died.

Trump’s sweeping pardons countered the messaging of his allies, many of whom condemned violent offenders until the stroke of his pen.

Vice President Vance said earlier this month that people who “committed violence” on Jan. 6 should “obviously” not receive pardons — though he walked that back to add that he and Trump care about “people unjustly locked up.”

Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick for attorney general, similarly condemned “any violence on a law enforcement officer in this country” during her confirmation hearing and vowed to help Trump look at the cases individually, if asked.

But the pardons showed little regard for the wide range of offenses among the rioters, instead encapsulating all of those who fought their way past police and into the Capitol........

© The Hill