At a Glance
- Trump pardoned about 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants on Jan. 20, 2025.
- Former Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell received calls about the pardons and said they erase justice.
- Officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6 report injuries still affecting them.
- Why it matters: The pardons undermine accountability for the violent attack and leave injured officers grappling with loss and trauma.
On Jan. 20, 2025, President Trump was inaugurated for a second term and immediately announced the pardon of roughly 1,500 people convicted for their actions on Jan. 6, sparking backlash from officers who defended the Capitol that day.
Pardons Spark Officer Outcry
Trump’s pardon list includes rioters who had injured Aquilino Gonell as he and other officers tried to protect the building. He received calls from federal prosecutors, FBI agents and the Bureau of Prisons, telling him that people he testified against were being released.
Gonell said:
> “They told me that people I testified against were being released from prison…”
Gonell said the pardons “have tried to erase what I did” and that he lost his career, health, and is trying to rebuild his life.
- About 1,500 pardons were issued.
- The list includes violent rioters who injured Gonell.
- Gonell’s injuries to his shoulder and foot still affect him.
The Day of the Attack
On Jan. 6, Aquilino Gonell defended the central West Front entrance as Congress certified Joe Biden’s victory and Trump supporters stormed the Capitol. He was dragged by shoulder straps, almost suffocated, and suffered injuries that still linger.
Gonell said:
> “I almost suffocated…”
In court, he testified about shoulder and foot injuries that continue to trouble him.
Responses and Reactions
President Trump called the pardoned rioters “patriots” and “hostages” and said their convictions were a “grave national injustice”.
President Trump announced:
> “Their lives have been ruined.”
Adam Eveland, a former DC police officer who fought the rioters, said the pardons erased what little justice there was and that the administration should have reviewed every case.
Thomas Manger, the former Capitol Police chief who took over after the riot, noted that the department had no wellness or counseling services when he arrived and that he later instituted major improvements to training, equipment, and intelligence.
| Aspect | Before Manger | After Manger |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness services | None | Established |
| Training | Limited | Expanded |
| Equipment | Inadequate | Updated |
| Intelligence | Minimal | Enhanced |
Key Takeaways
- Trump’s pardons of 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants undermine accountability.
- Officers like Aquilino Gonell suffered lasting injuries and feel justice has been erased.
- The Capitol Police department has since improved training, equipment, and support services.
The pardons have left officers grappling with trauma and a sense that the violent attack’s memory is being erased.
