Trump’s Pardon Promise for Jan. 6 Rioters Sparks Grave Warnings

President-elect Donald Trump’s renewed vow to pardon January 6 rioters as soon as he takes office sends a “clear, and dark, message” to his supporters, former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance told MSNBC’s Ari Melber on Monday evening. Vance argued Trump is signaling that crimes committed on his behalf will be met with protection.

The discussion began with former Republican Bill Kristol, who reflected on Trump’s growing alignment with those involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 election. “J.D. Vance … is someone who explicitly said he would not have done what [Vice President Mike] Pence did and refused to challenge the electors,” Kristol explained.

Kristol went on to name others connected to Trump’s future administration plans. “The speaker of the House was someone, I believe, who [tried] to throw out the electors on January 6th. Kash Patel looks like he will be confirmed, more Republican senators falling in line, as FBI director. He was at the Defense Department, involved in the internal government coup plotting that complemented, preceded really the assault on the Capitol,” Kristol continued.

Summing up the gravity of the situation, Kristol said, “It is unbelievable … that we would have a presidency basically on the side of those who assaulted the Capitol and who tried to overturn the election four years later. It is actually shocking.”

Melber, turning to Vance, asked for her perspective. “You know, when you listen to these comments and watch these videos, what you are forced to consider is the message that Donald Trump is sending, because it is not just to the January 6th defendants,” Vance said. “It is to the people he hopes will support him in this next term, and the message is: support me at all costs, use violence, commit crimes, I will take care of you. I find that to be deeply frightening.”

Vance’s comments underscore growing concerns about Trump’s rhetoric and its implications for future political violence. By promising pardons to January 6 rioters, Trump appears to be encouraging supporters to engage in extreme actions under the belief that they will be shielded from consequences.

The discussion highlighted fears among legal and political experts that Trump’s approach signals a willingness to undermine the rule of law, emboldening those who would commit crimes in his name. As Vance described, the potential precedent is not only unprecedented but “deeply frightening.”