Oklahomans pardoned following Trump's January 6 executive order
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Thirteen Oklahomans were pardoned after President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday allowing defendants involved in the January 6 attack to be freed.
"What they've done to these people is outrageous," said Mr. Trump, shortly after signing the order.
The President pardoned approximately 1,500 people who were at the Capitol on January 6, including many who were convicted of violent crimes. He also commuted sentences of several others who were part of far-right groups.
"When somebody has their sentence commuted, that means he or she is either let out of prison or has their sentence shortened,” said Ed Blau, legal expert. “Those individuals are still convicted felons. They still have a record. If you receive full pardon, your conviction is gone."
Before Mr. Trump signed the order, nine Oklahomans had pled guilty. Three others pled not guilty, and one case was still ongoing.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond posted to social media Tuesday stating, “I am pleased to report that all J6 prisoners who were in custody here in Oklahoma have been released."
According to the Department of Justice, around 140 law enforcement officers were hurt during the incident at the Capitol. Five people died.
One D.C. Metro officer, Michael Fanone, was attacked by six people. He said he suffered a traumatic brain injury and had a heart attack. He commented on the decision Monday night and told reporters the move "pardoned hundreds of violent cop assaulters."
Drummond, who has been pro-policing, sent KFOR a statement Tuesday.
President Trump was open and honest about his intention to issue pardons to January 6 defendants, and a majority of Americans voted for him. While I certainly wish the media and President Trump's detractors had expressed the same level of outrage over Biden's pardons, some will always seek to sow division. I am fully supportive of the President's agenda and look forward to working with him to secure the border, deport illegal immigrants and put America First.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond
Former President Joe Biden received pushback for his pardons in the final hours before the end of his term. He pardoned members of his family, health officials, and members and staff of the January 6 House Committee, as well as police officers who testified.
The aftermath of January 6 was considered the largest investigation in federal law enforcement history, which cost tens of millions of dollars.
"Prosecutors are very likely to be less inclined to bring these types of charges because in the back of their mind, they will know this individual could be led out of jail or be fully pardoned within the next couple of years," said Blau. "The friends and family or those people who spoke out, witnesses, I can see where they would be concerned or even frightened."