JD Vance Says Violent Jan. 6 Rioters 'Shouldn't Be Pardoned,' Veers From Trump's 'Major Pardons' Promise

Vice President-elect JD Vance told Fox News Sunday that those who protested peacefully on Jan. 6, 2021, should be pardoned, but, "If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn't be pardoned."

Vance’s comments come in sharp contrast to President-elect Donald Trump‘s and have some people confused and angry.

Trump has repeatedly promised to free the more than 460 jailed Jan. 6 participants on his first day in office. Last week during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence, Trump vowed that he'd be "making major pardons," although he didn't reply when asked if that would include those who attacked police. On Jan. 6, 2021, 140 police officers were injured and five were killed.

Vance did say "there's a little bit of a gray area there" regarding those who committed violent acts. "We're very much committed to seeing the equal administration of law."

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Nevertheless, Vance's comments sent shock waves through the insurrectionist community and anger quickly ensued.

An X account representing Jake Lang, who is awaiting trial on charges that he beat police officers at the Capitol, addressed Vance, saying the "J6 Hostages families have been CRUSHED by the mixed messaging coming from the White House" on the pardon process.

"We have been waiting 4 years for this moment, & now it seems like your Administration is going to possibly leave some of our brothers behind; to rot away in the gulag for the next 10 to 20 years."

Others piled on with angry tweets directed at Vance. "Let's make this really easy for @JD Vance The government entrapped J6 protesters with dereliction of preparedness, misconduct by police, & undercover agitators. All hostages currently in prison were the victims & must be pardoned."

The hue and cry became loud enough to compel Vance to respond on X, saying that he donated to the J6 political prisoner fund when he was running for Senate in Ohio and that he's been "defending these guys for years." He said Trump will look at each case, adding that his own comments were not "some walkback."

First of all, I donated to the to the J6 political prisoner fund and got ROASTED for it during my senate race. I've been defending these guys for years.

Second, there were federal informants in the crowd. Do they get a pardon? I don't think so. The president saying he'll look at… https://t.co/MDUWkd37fP

— JD Vance (@JDVance) January 12, 2025

Since January 2021, more than 1,270 defendants have been convicted in connection with their actions at the Capitol and more than 1,580 have been arrested.

More than 700 defendants completed their sentences or were never penalized with jail or prison time.

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