President Donald Trump called the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on police officers by rioters “minor incidents” when speaking to Sean Hannity on Wednesday.
In his first interview with the Fox News host since his inauguration, Trump was asked why he pardoned people who “were violent with the police” during the insurrection at the Capitol.
“First, they were there for three and a half years, a very long time, and many in solitary confinement, treated like no one had ever been treated,” Trump responded. “They were treated like the worst criminals in history, and you know why they were there? They were protesting the vote because they knew the election was rigged and they were protesting the vote, and they should be allowed to protest the vote. You should be allowed to do so.
When Hannity pointed out that “you shouldn’t be able to invade the Capitol,” Trump retorted, “Most people were absolutely innocent.” The president continued: “But forgetting all that, these people have served horribly for a very long time. It would be very, very tedious to go and… Look, do you know how many people we’re talking about? 1,500 people.
Hours after delivering his inaugural address Monday, Trump issued a blanket pardon and widespread clemency to the 1,500 people who participated in the attack on the Capitol. Many of the defendants were convicted of assaulting police and law enforcement officers, planning violence against lawmakers, and damaging the Capitol in their attempt to overturn the 2020 election, which Trump lost to former President Biden.
The president told Hannity: “Some of these people with the police, true, but they were very minor incidents. You know they’re built by these few fake guys who are on CNN all the time. These were very minor incidents. And it was time.
140 police officers were attacked during the Capitol riots. Among the violent criminals pardoned by Trump on January 6 are David Dempsey, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison and, according to prosecutors, “violently assaulted and injured police officers” with various weapons, and Daniel Joseph “DJ” Rodriguez, who used the Taser gun on police officer Michael. Fanone several times in the neck, causing a heart attack, concussion and head trauma. Fanone was later diagnosed with PTSD.
