As Donald Trump secures a potential return to the White House, one of his supporters, Derrick Evans, is eagerly awaiting the possibility of a pardon for his role in the January 6 Capitol riot. Evans, a former member of the West Virginia legislature, was among the thousands who stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election, fueled by the unfounded belief that Trump, not Joe Biden, had won.
“I believe he’s a man of his word,” Evans told the BBC, expressing hope that Trump will follow through on his previous promises to pardon those involved in the riot. Evans pleaded guilty to civil disorder charges in 2022 and served three months in federal prison, but he, like many others, hopes that a pardon would change his life. Trump has previously referred to the rioters as “patriots” and “political prisoners,” but whether a blanket pardon will be issued, and who will be included, remains unclear.
During his campaign, Trump made several public statements suggesting he would offer clemency to January 6 defendants. In March, he vowed on his Truth Social account that one of his first acts as president would be to “Free the January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned!” He repeated the pledge at a National Association of Black Journalists forum in Chicago in July, stating, “Oh, absolutely, I would… If they’re innocent, I would pardon them.” However, he later tempered his comments, acknowledging that not all rioters might be eligible for clemency, suggesting that “a couple of them” may have “got out of control.”
Trump’s campaign has indicated that decisions about pardons would be made on a “case-by-case” basis upon his return to the White House, leaving many with uncertain expectations.
As the Justice Department continues to pursue one of the largest investigations in U.S. history, arrests are still being made. Nearly 600 people have been charged in connection with the January 6 attack, including figures like Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who faced seditious conspiracy charges for their roles in organizing the riot. Despite the ongoing investigations, some rioters and their supporters are eagerly anticipating potential pardons.
Among those awaiting decisions on their cases is Christopher Carnell, a man convicted earlier this year on several riot-related charges, who recently requested a delay in his sentencing, citing possible “clemency actions.” His request was denied, as was a similar plea by Jonathanpeter Klein, who faces sentencing on November 15.
Groups supporting the rioters have grown increasingly vocal, with some fringe online communities dubbing those convicted as “prisoners of war” or “hostages.” Jake Lang, an individual charged with assaulting police officers, has made repeated posts from his jail cell, expressing confidence that he and others will be released after Trump’s inauguration. “IM COMING HOME!!!!” he wrote on social media following Trump’s electoral victory. “The January 6 political prisoners are finally coming home!!!!”
Others are more cautious, including some members of the Proud Boys, who have suggested laying low until the new president takes office. One post on a Proud Boys Telegram channel advised members to avoid the January inauguration celebration, instead recommending that they
“stay home or patronize your local watering hole and celebrate the inauguration of our President and the imminent release of our Boys.”
Wendy Via, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE), warned that pardons could undermine the justice system and send a dangerous message that violence is a legitimate response to political outcomes.
“It will make a mockery of our justice system,”
Via said, adding that pardons would embolden future acts of political violence.
While it remains unclear if Trump will issue mass pardons for all those convicted in relation to the January 6 attack, individuals like Evans—who did not engage in violent acts—continue to call for broader amnesty.
“I think there needs to be some reparations and restitution involved as well,”
Evans added, suggesting that mere pardons may not fully compensate for the time he and others spent in prison.
As the investigation continues and the political landscape shifts, the future of January 6-related prosecutions and potential pardons hangs in the balance.
