The US President is expected to pardon hundreds of people prosecuted for their involvement in the violent insurrection at the US Capitol Building four years ago
Donald Trump will sign pardons for the January 6th insurrectionists on hi first day in office, he has said at a rally in Washington DC.
The twice-impeached US President and convicted felon is expected to pardon hundreds of people prosecuted for their involvement in the violent insurrection at the US Capitol Building four years ago.
It’s unclear whether he’ll pardon all 1,600 people prosecuted or imprisoned over the attempted coup, or just the 900 or so that were charged with non-violent misdemeanour offences like trespass.
But he said he’d be signing pardons for “a lot of people” and he would be freeing “the J6 Hostages today.”
During his speech he invited relatives of Israeli hostages up onto stage. He continued to refer to the insurrectionists as “hostages” as they stood solemnly behind him.
And in a chilling piece of theatre for the baying crowd at Capital One Arena, he signed a series of controversial Executive Orders live on stage.
First in the initial raft of orders was one that will revoke 78 of Joe Biden’s executive orders and actions.
The crowd whooped and cheered as he signed his name to the document.
Others will implement a “regulation freeze” a “hiring freeze for the IRS”, and cancel work-from-home rights for government staff.
He also signed the withdrawal of the Paris Climate Treaty, meaning America joins Libya, Iran and Yemen as the only countries not to ratify the deal.
He signed a command ordering his cabinet to “marshall every power at their disposal to reduce inflation.”
He inked two slightly more unclear orders – a “directive to federal government to protect free speech” and a “directive to federal government ending the weaponization of government against the previous administration”.
Also among the orders President Trump is expected to sign today will effectively strip trans people of their legal protections.
The order declares the federal government would recognise only two genders: male and female, an incoming White House official said Monday.
BLUESKY: Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here. And follow our Mirror Politics team here – Lizzy Buchan, Jason Beattie, Kevin Maguire, Sophie Huskisson, Dave Burke, Ashley Cowburn, Mikey Smith
POLITICS WHATSAPP: Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you want to leave our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
NEWSLETTER: Or sign up here to the Mirror’s Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox.
PODCAST: And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell, hosted by the Mirror and the Express every Thursday.
