As Americans across the country plan to join “No Kings” protests today, a kingly power—to grant pardons—looms large over the day. Just months into his term, Trump has clearly demonstrated his willingness to pardon those who commit political violence in his name. On January 20, he pardoned over 1,500 people convicted of crimes in connection with the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. The pardons extended to those who violently attacked police officers and endangered lawmakers. They included members of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, both far-right, extremist, militia organizations.
Among those pardoned was the national chairman of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio. Tarrio was convicted of seditious conspiracy against the United States, among other offenses, based on his role as a key architect and planner of the January 6 attacks. A Trump-appointed judge sentenced Tarrio to 22 years in prison. But thanks to the pardon, Tarrio is now a free man.
And he is back out there organizing. He has a new role as the so-called “Czar” of “ICERAID.US,” an app that encourages users to hunt for undocumented migrants and earn “bounties” (paid in cryptocurrency) for reporting them. Tarrio compared it to a game of Pokemon.
Tarrio is also leading a group of Proud Boys suing the Department of Justice for $100 million, claiming wrongful prosecution. While legal experts say the suit has no merit, they are also predicting that it may succeed anyway, because Trump’s DOJ may just fold rather than defend the prosecution.
Tarrio’s case illustrates how Trump’s pardons are emboldening extremists on the right. But he is not alone. Proud Boys across the country have been chattering about committing violence against protesters today. Popular memes feature firearms and use slogans like: “Shoot a couple, the rest will go home.”
Why do these people feel that they can glibly threaten political violence? Well, Trump has demonstrated his willingness to pardon those who commit crimes in his name—including violence—on a large scale. So it doesn’t seem like an irrational calculation to conclude he would do so again.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, in her usual brand of gaslighting/pandering, posted a “Happy Birthday” message to the President today, claiming that America is safer under his leadership. I think anyone with eyes open looking around can see that this is untrue.
And especially on days like today, with peaceful protests against authoritarianism planned around the country, Trump’s history with pardons gives us real reason to be afraid of violent backlash.
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