Vice President-elect JD Vance recently shared his thoughts on the January 6th events, clarifying his stance on pardons. Speaking to Fox News Sunday, Vance made it clear: anyone who committed violence that day should not be granted clemency.
“It’s pretty simple,” Vance said. “If you peacefully protested on January 6th, and were unfairly treated by the Department of Justice, you should absolutely be pardoned.” But he quickly added, “If you were violent, that’s a different story. You shouldn’t be pardoned.”
He also acknowledged there’s a “gray area” when it comes to certain actions that day, hinting that not everyone involved should be treated the same. Vance emphasized that he and President-elect Trump are both strongly committed to ensuring equal justice under the law, and that some individuals were unfairly prosecuted.
“We need to fix that,” Vance said, focusing on those cases he believes were mishandled.
The discussion around pardoning those involved in the January 6th Capitol storming remains controversial, especially as it marked its fourth anniversary this year. While Trump has been vocal about his promise to grant clemency, many voices in Congress have expressed strong opposition to the idea.
In a lighter moment, Vance even joked about skipping the inauguration to catch his alma mater in the national championship game.
As the conversation continues, it’s clear that Vance and Trump plan to push forward with their ideas, including possible immigration reforms, should they return to office.
