Ahead of Capitol attack anniversary, US House Democrats scrutinize Jan. 6 aftermath under Trump

By Gizem Nisa Demir

ISTANBUL (AA) - US House Democrats released two reports on Monday ahead of the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, detailing actions taken during the first year of President Donald Trump's second term, according to American media.

ABC News reported that the House Judiciary Committee documented Trump's decision to pardon most Jan. 6 defendants and the dismissal of Justice Department (DOJ) officials who prosecuted the cases under the Biden administration.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, the committee's ranking member, said the pardons amounted to creating “a private militia of proven street fighters” and warned of “a nightmare for American public safety.”

Citing watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), the reports said at least 33 pardoned defendants have since faced new criminal charges.

“Far from being tough on crime, President Trump has let violent criminals out of prison, enabling them to commit new crimes,” the reports alleged.

The findings also examined the rise of figures linked to efforts to overturn the 2020 election into senior roles at the DOJ and the continued impact on prosecutors and Capitol police officers injured during the attack.