Until Monday, there were doubts even among some of Donald Trump's team members about his intention to release all those arrested following the riots at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Vice-President JD Vance stated recently, "If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn't be pardoned."
During her testimony before Congress, Trump's nominee for Attorney General, Pam Bondi, aligned with a Democratic senator by condemning the violence on that day. She noted, "I do not agree with violence against any police officer," expressing readiness to assess each of the over 1,500 cases linked to the riot individually.
Contrary to these views, Trump took a broad approach on his first day in office by granting commutations and a blanket pardon, effectively freeing all rioters and erasing the extensive criminal investigation in US history.
In a news conference on Tuesday at the White House, Trump stated, "These people have already served years in prison... It's been a terrible, terrible thing."
Following Trump's decision, celebrations erupted at the Washington DC jail where several riot participants were detained, as well as on social media accounts maintained by the defendants and their supporters.
Rachel Powell, a Pennsylvania woman convicted of smashing a window at the Capitol, was among those released from the Washington DC jail on Tuesday. She praised Trump for fulfilling his promise and mentioned being home in time for her son's birthday.
Observers, including policy experts and lawyers representing rioters, were surprised by the scale of the president's order. Lisa Gilbert from Public Citizen expressed shock over Trump's action to pardon violent criminals, given his previous stance on law and order.
Amid the pardons and commutations, 14 individuals convicted of serious crimes had their sentences commuted, allowing for their release while retaining their criminal records.
The justice department reported 1,583 arrests or convictions related to the riot, with approximately 600 individuals charged with assaulting or obstructing police, including around 175 charged with causing serious injury to an officer.
Trump went further by appointing Ed Martin as acting US attorney for Washington DC, halting any additional investigations related to the riot.
Trump's decision to grant clemency to far-right groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers drew mixed reactions, with concerns raised about the potential resurgence of extremist activities following their release into society.