Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) stated that President-elect Donald Trump has the right to pardon those involved in the January 6 protests but suggested it should be handled on a “case-by-case” basis rather than through a blanket pardon.
Speaking on CNN’s Meet The Press, Clyburn acknowledged the president’s authority to issue pardons, emphasizing the importance of providing second chances while distinguishing between different levels of involvement during the protests.
“I think that it’s the president’s prerogative to pardon whomever he wishes to pardon. That’s up to the president,” Clyburn said. “I favor the pardon system… It ought to be used to forgive and to provide a second chance. So if you go a case-by-case basis, you look at all of those people, some people may have gotten caught up in the emotions and maybe a pardon for them would be okay.”
However, Clyburn drew a line at violent actions, saying, “If you’re using the American flag, plunging it at the enforcement officers, you have injured a law enforcement officer… those people should not be pardoned.”
The influential South Carolina Democrat’s remarks come as Trump has signaled a willingness to review the cases of those prosecuted in connection with January 6. In a recent interview with NBC’s Meet The Press, Trump said, “We’re going to look at everything. We’re going to look at individual cases, yeah. I’m going to be acting very quickly… First day.”
Clyburn’s comments follow growing hope among Trump supporters that he will pardon those they believe were unfairly targeted by the Biden administration. Trump has consistently criticized what he views as politically motivated prosecutions of January 6 protesters and vowed to address the issue immediately after taking office.
Clyburn’s statement also comes amid controversy surrounding President Joe Biden’s recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, for federal tax and gun-related offenses, despite previously stating he would not intervene in his son’s legal troubles.
