Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has blasted President Donald Trump for pardoning defendants who were targeted over the U.S. Capitol protests on January 6, 2021.
On Sunday, Graham expressed concerns about the potential for increased violence following Trump’s decision to issue pardons to individuals convicted over Jan. 6.
JUST IN: Sen. Lindsey Graham says it was a “mistake” by Trump to pardon January 6 prisoners.
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Graham made the remarks during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” with host Kristen Welker.
Welker questioned Graham about a statement from Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA).
Kaine had criticized former President Joe Biden for issuing pardons to family members during the final hours of his presidency.
The Democrat senator suggested that Biden’s actions made it more difficult to criticize Trump’s controversial blanket pardons for January 6 defendants.
She asked Graham if he agreed with that assessment.
“He had the legal authority to do it,” Graham said, referring to Trump’s pardons.
“But I fear that you will get more violence.
“Pardoning the people who went into the Capitol and beat up a police officer violently, I think, was a mistake because it seems to suggest that’s an okay thing to do.”
Trump’s pardons have sparked widespread debate.
They cover individuals convicted of various offenses related to the Democrats’ anti-Trump Jan. 6 campaign.
Graham emphasized his concern for law enforcement and his opposition to pardoning individuals who committed violent acts.
Biden’s pardons for his family members also drew criticism.
Graham points out the broader implications for public perception of presidential pardon powers.
“Biden pardoned half his family going out the door,” Graham said.
“I think most Americans, if this continues, will see this as an abuse of the pardon power, and we’ll revisit the pardon power of the president if this continues.”
Senator Graham calls Trump’s decision to pardon January 6th protestors a “mistake.” pic.twitter.com/QSrXzfItVq
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Despite his criticism, Graham acknowledged Trump’s consistency on the issue.
The senator noted that Trump had promised during his campaign to pardon individuals convicted in connection with the Jan. 6.
“He’s not tricking people,” Graham said.
“You know, Biden promised not to pardon his family; he did.
“Trump said, ‘I’m going to pardon these people.’
“So, the fact that he did it is no surprise.”
Welker noted Graham’s longstanding support for law enforcement.
The NBC host asked Graham to elaborate on his stance regarding the pardons.
Graham reiterated his opposition to pardoning individuals who engage in violence, regardless of political affiliation.
“I don’t like the idea of bailing people out of jail or pardoning people who burn down cities and beat up cops, whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat,” he said.
Graham’s comments highlight ongoing tensions surrounding the use of presidential pardon powers and the broader implications for accountability and public trust.
Trump’s decision to issue blanket pardons for January 6 defendants came after hundreds of his supporters were targetted by politically motivated cases.
Meanwhile, Biden’s pardons for family members during his final days in office have added another layer of controversy to the issue, raising questions about the limits and oversight of executive clemency.
As the conversation around presidential pardons continues, lawmakers from both parties may face increased pressure to examine potential reforms to the pardon process to address concerns about perceived abuses of power.
