Justice Dept Pardon Attorney Discusses Jan. 6 Clemency Applications
Stewart Rhodes and other defendants with serious charges seek full pardons
Justice Department pardon attorney Ed Martin has reportedly discussed pardon applications for remaining January 6 Capitol riot defendants who received commutations but not full pardons from President Trump. Attorney Peter Ticktin told CBS News he met with Martin to discuss pardon requests for Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and ten others, including several Proud Boys members. These individuals were among a group of 14 who received commutations that allowed them to leave prison but maintained their criminal convictions for serious charges like seditious conspiracy.
President Trump issued pardons to most January 6 defendants on his first day back in office and directed pending charges to be dropped. However, some defendants with more serious convictions received only commutations rather than full pardons. According to Justice Department data, more than 1,500 people were charged for their alleged conduct on January 6, with approximately 1,100 cases adjudicated and sentenced. The pardon applications are expected to undergo standard review procedures through the Justice Department.
KEY POINTS
- •Pardon attorney discusses Jan. 6 cases
- •Rhodes and others seek full pardons
- •Trump already commuted their sentences
The pardon process reportedly involves consultation with Alice Johnson, whom Trump appointed as his "pardon czar" after granting her clemency during his first term for a nonviolent drug offense. Ticktin indicated that Johnson holds significant influence in determining which pardons move forward. Trenniss Evans, CEO of American Rights Alliance who is working with Ticktin, stated they have received no assurances about whether the pardons will be granted but expressed confidence that the current administration would give "realistic and fair review" to these cases.
The Constitution grants presidents broad authority to pardon individuals for federal crimes, though legal experts have noted that Trump's clemency for January 6 rioters has been particularly extensive. In addition to January 6 defendants, Trump has recently pardoned several other individuals including former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht, and former Virginia sheriff Scott Jenkins. Ticktin also discussed a potential pardon for former Arkansas State Senator Jonathan Woods, who was prosecuted in part by Jack Smith before Smith later served as special counsel investigating Trump.